EcuLiAR  People 


DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


4^ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/peculiarpeople1905chas 


Taken  Oct,  ic©4- 

MRS.  ARABELLA  V.  CHASE» 


W.  C.  CHASE. 


fEsCampRfBSPLE 


BY 

0S«. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 
WILLIAM  CALVIN  CHASE,  JR., 
PRINTER. 

1905. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  CoHgr«ss 
in  tke  year  1905,  by 
—Arabella  Virginia   Chase, — 
18  the  office  of  the  Librarian  ef  Can- 


5 


This  is  the  first  and  only  volume  which  lias  been 
presented  to  the  public  on  Peculiar  people. 

The  purpose  is  to  give  credit  where  it  is  r'ue  ai-d 
censure  all  that  is  detrimental  to  a  nation. 

Th«  attention  of  the  reader  is  directed  to  the  source 
from  which  the  Peculiar  people  came. 

All  the  changes,  from  what  they  wer*-  to  what  tl  ev 
are,  have  not  been  noted,  only  those  of  the  greittest 
importance. 

The  aim  of  this  voluma  it  to  arouse  the  Peculiar 
^«opl«  themsclvef  to  renewed  activity,  ;^nd  cause  all 
others,  who  may  read  its  pages,  to  open  their  hearts, 
to  the  truths  herein  stated. 

Many  people  have  reached  the  conclusion  that  the 
Peculiar  people  are  inferiors,  collectively  and  individ- 
ually, and  that  they  are  not  progressir  g. 

The  common  custom  of  referring  to  the  dark  skinn- 
ed people  as  Negroes  and  colored  peoph  must  belpt  - 
islated  out  of  existence,  and  this  volume  is  intend^•d 
to  set  the  people  to  thinking,  then  to  vielding  to  tht 
right, and  finally  to  complying  with  the  Golden  Rule. 

Many  statements  may  not  please  every  one,  never- 
theless they  are  true. 

Were  the  criticisms  all  against  the  Peculiar  people 
tno  would  sty  the  author  has  pictured  tkem  v^ell; 


3 


PREFACE, 


were  the  praises  all  for  those  citizens  not  identiSed 
with  the  Peculiar  people,  others  would  say  the  au- 
thor is  uncharitable. 
The  author  be^s  to  state  that  she  has  made  a 

study  of  all  classes  of  citizens  and  has  found  that 
much  of  the  strife  now  existing  may  be  obviated  by 
following  the  principles  mentioned  in  this  volume;  if 
•very  person  will  feel  that  he  is  an  American  citizen 
and  lose  sight  of  the  complexion  of  his  skin,  the  great- 
est hindrance  will  be  moved. 

This  book  is  intended  to  act,  on  its  readers,  like  a 
cake  of  leaven  in  a  pan  of  dough. 

The  results  which  will  come  from  having  read  this 
volume  may  be  as  "Bread  cast  upon  the  waters,  8«en 
and  gathered  after  many  days." 

This  book  contains  nothing  to  offend  the  most  re- 
fined. 

In  preparing  this  book  the  author  has  been  greatly 
aided  by  experience,  and  after  serving  such  an  able 
teacher,  feels  that  she  is  doing  her  whole  duty  is  pre- 
senting it  to  the  public. 

The  author's  daughter,  who  is  an  accomplished 
pianist,  and  son,  who  is  a  clever  cornetist  have  ren- 
dered substantial  aid  in  the  presentation  ofthis  work. 

Her  son,  not  only  did  all  the  typographical 
and  press  work  but  prepared  the  book  for  the  bind- 
ers, and  her  daughter  was  the  am  muensis  and 
proofreader;  both  children  are  less  than  eighteen 
years  of  a^e. 

Because  of  the  manly  position  maintained  at  all 
times, in  the  interest  of  humanity,  the  author  dedicates 
this  book  to  her  husband,  William  Calvin  Chaie. 


DIVISION 

PAGE 

I 

Their  Origin 

9 

II 

He  Becomes  Peculiar 

13 

III 

A  Misapplication 

16 

IV 

Useless  Legislation 

20 

V 

No  Longer  Beggars 

25 

VI 

His  Abode 

28 

VII    Business  and  Social  Comdition 

31 

YIII 

Imitativeness  and  Results 

35 

IX       The  Polititical  Atmosphere 

37 

X 

Good  Citizi^nsmip 

45 

XI 

Unwholesome  Practices 

50 

XII 

Excerpts  and  Commekti 

53 

SUMMARY 

»      f      -      .  ► 

59 

DIVISION  I. 
Their  Origin. 

In  the  beginniDg  God  created  the  Heavens  and  the 
Er  rth.  £o  God  created  man  in  His  own  im.'ige;  male 
and  female  created  He  them.  It  was  about  the  tenth 
.generation  ?ifter  the  creation  of  the  first  man,  Adam, 
tliat  there  were  three  brothers,  Shem,  Kam,  Japeth^ 
\v!"0  were  the  sons  of  Noah.  Of  these  three  sons  was 
the  whole  world  over.spread. 

Their  father,  Noah,  was  a  husbandman  and  it  may 
be  safely  said  that  by  him  were  sown  the  seed  of  intem- 
perance as  applied  to  intoxicant  drinks.  Noah  made 
his  own  wine  of  which  he  drank  and  was  made  drunk. 
When  Noah  awoke  from  his  wine  and  knew  what  his 
youngest  son,  Ham,  had  done  to  him  while  lie  was  un  - 
der the  influence  of  the  wine,  he  became  displeased 
and  cursed  him. 

This  was  the  intended  plan  of  the  Divine  Ci  ester  iu 
order  to  bring  about  a  separation  in  Noah's  family. 
Under  no  circumstances  could  Noah  have  been  in- 
duced to  give  one  of  his  sons  to  go  in  a  strange  coun  - 
try if  all  three  had  remained  dutiful  and  loving. 

God  had  a  reason  for  permitting  Ham  to  be  the  son 
cursed  by  Noah,  and  that  reason  is  as  much  a  mystery 
to-day  as  it  was  when  the  disruption  of  that  happy 
family  took  place. 

Not-withstanding  the  final  decision  of  Noah  and  the 
rejection  of  Ham  and  hi.^  son,  the  whole  world,  about 
this  time  was  of  one  language  and  one  tongue. 

An  idea  was  conceived  and  all  the  pe  ople  were  of 
oive  accord  in  the  effort  to  put  into  execution  the  idea. 


JO 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


The  undertaking  was  to  build  a  tower  which  should 
reach  fiorn  earth  to  heaven,  which  attempt  alone 
iiroved  that,  although  the  workers  may  have  differed 
ino.itw  iri  appearances,  there  was  a  oneness  ofprinci- 
l.le. 

In  all  things  that  had  been  created  the  gi  eatest  wis- 
dom had  been  displayed  as  to  kinds. 

A  great  universe  had  been  made  and  was  to  be  peo- 
pled by  the  descendants  of  three  brothers;  would 
there  be  any  rivalry,  competition,  or  advancement  of 
the  purpose  for  which  man  was  created  if  scattered 
over  the  face  of  the  world  and  all  speaking  one  tongue? 

No  more  opportune  time  than  when  engaged  in 
building  the  tower  was  there  for  confusing  their  lan- 
guage and  giving  to  the  world  the  many  kinds  of  lan- 
guages fouod  in  the  different  parts  of  the  world. 

This  once  happy  family  of  parents  and  three  broth- 
ers had  been  parted,  each  going  to  some  other  clime. 

Ham  settled  in  Africa  and  sent  many  branches  into 
Asia.  Th®  formation  of  a  new  people  waa  begun  and 
Ham  became  the  father  of  a  people  known  as  Ethio- 
pians, \^  ho  were  men  of  stature  and  fine  looking. 

In  the  days  of  Chiist  this  country  was  governed  by 
a  line  of  Queens,  who  contended  and  successfully  re- 
sisted the  Romans. 

Ethiupici  means  burnt  in  color,  and  the  accepted 
defiaition  of  burnt  in  color  is  black.  The  Egyptians 
define  Ham  as  dark-skinned,  burnt  or  black  in  color. 

The  presumption  is  that  the  intense  heat  of  Africa 
had  much  to  do  with  the  complexion  of  its  inhabitants 
may  net  be  v.  holly  wrong.  Ham  was  the  color  of  his 
parents,  notwithstanding  he  was  also  the  father  of  the 


THEIR  ORIGIN. 


II 


Africans. 

Many  of  the  Africans  were  black  or  very  dark  and 
distinguished  by  having  crisp  or  curly  hair,  high 
cheek  bones,  thick  and  protruding  lips.  These  are 
called  Negroes. 

All  Negroes  are  Africans,  but  all  Africans  are  nut 
Negroes,  any  more  than  all  Europeans  are  not  Terks. 

Ham  had  four  sons  and  twenty-four  grand  sons,  and 
some  of  the  principal  nations  which  sprang  from  Ham 
and  his  sons  were  the  Ethiopians,  Lybians  and  Ca- 
naanite.s. 

Selecting  at  this  point  the  Negro,  for  it  is  he  v.  ith 
whom  I  shall  deal,  a  most  important  change  takes 
place  in  the  relation  he  sustains  to  the  world. 

A  new  Continent  was  discovered,  which  was  named 
Aermica.  In  the  year  i52o,  a  Dutch  trading  vessel 
brought  to  the  shore  of  this  new  country,  Ameriar, 
a  number  of  Negroes  from  the  sunny  clime  of  Af- 
rica, who  were  sold  into  bo  idage  to  the  settlers,  who 
had  come  to  the  new  country  in  quest  of  peace,  hap- 
piness and  the  right  to  enjoy  their  lives  as  free  men. 

These  slaves  were  true,  full-blooded  Negroes  and 
in  no  section  of  America  did  the  slave  traffic  prosper 
more  than  in  that  part  known  as  Virginia;  it  has  i  he 
d'stinction  of  having  been  foremost  in  the  slave  trade. 

The  number  uf  sl  ives  in  America  grts-itly  increa.<»ed 
but  the  most  astonishing  fact  was  that  each  bir.h 
v»hich  made  the  number  of  slaves  greater  did  not  pi  c- 
duce  a  simon-puie  N^^r  y,  no  not  by  any  meau^. 
Surely  the  climatic  effect  on  the  Negro  in  America, 
his  new  home,  was  marvelous.  Instead  of  the  bine  v 
face,  curly  hair,  flat  noie,  high  cheek-bjnes,  ihi<::<. 


12 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


and  protruding  lips,  there  were  light  skins,  sharp 
noses,  straight  hair  and  thin  lips. 

Where,  oh  where  had  he  gone?  The  Negro  had  been 
displaced  and  was  undergoing  another  change. 
America's  soil  v/as  unable  to  produce  the  Negro. 


HE  BECOMES  PECULIAR. 


DIVISION  II. 

He  Becomes  Peculias, 

An  edict  was  heralded  throughout  this  country,  at 
the  close  of  the  rebellion,  that  slavery  was  for  ever- 
more  abolished  In  the  United  States  of  America;  that 
the  shackles,  which  had  held  so  msny  of  God's  creat- 
ures in  bonds,  were  loosed  and  should  fall  from  the 
enslaved. 

Not  one  Negro  has  entered  this  land,  as  a  slave, 
since  the  edict  went  forth.  Some  few  have  come 
seeking  an  English  education,  and  still  fewer  seeking 
to  become  citizens. 

The  constitution  of  the  United  States  was  created 
for  the  government  of  its  citizens,  and  while  it  did  not 
cover  tt-e  ex-slave  as  a  cit  zen,  it  was  only  necessary 
to  make  amendments  and  such  was  done,  to  protect 
him  iu  his  rights  and  privileges. 

Amendments  which  gauranteed  to  every  citizen  e- 
qual  rights  before  the  law,  regardless  of  rac^,  color 
or  previous  condition  of  sers'itude  were  added  to  the 
constitution. 

In  his  message  of  December  1862.  President  Lin- 
coln said,  **That  portion  of  the  E  \rth's  surface  which 
is  owned  and  inhibited  by  the  psopla  of  the  United 
States  of  America  U  well  adapted  to  be  the  home  of 
one  national  family,  and  it  is  not  well  adapted  to  two 
or  more". 

He  had  in  mind  the  poli'dcal  condition  of  the  peo- 
ple, as  there  exiited  many  and  varied  political  opin- 
ions. 

The  same  expresuoa  is  as   applicable  to-day  as  it 


14 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


was  whei  it  wis  first  made.  This  land  rouM  not  be 
thf^  home  of  the  s'ave  and  .his  master  atihe  same  nine, 
and  aj-slaxer)  had  the  weaker  hold  ithc.d  logo.  With 
slave^'y  went  he  Americanized 

The  once  Negro  finds  himself  transformed,  the  i\nd 
all  his  descendants  are  no  longer  vvh  it  they  vvc;re 
when  they  first  saw  the  light  of  day.  The  Negro  first 
became  a  slave  and  at  the  close  of  the  rebellion  he  is 
so  differently  situated  as  to  be  to  hini'^eif  j  )  e  c  'J  j  1  a  I  a  nd 
he,  like  the  man  from  Who iH  he  sprang,  becomes 
the  father  of  a  peculiar  people. 

Such  rapid  transformation  in  a  class  of  people  has 
sel  .om,  if  ever  been  known.  A  class  of  people  bo.n 
on  the  soil  of  America,  resembling  other  people  i.i 
every  respect;  having  the  same  likes  and  di.-Iike/  ; 
having  the  same  capacity  for  good  and  bad  as  ocherb; 
made  in  the  likeness  of  the  same  Creator  as  otherh; 
developing  the  same  traits  of  character  as  others^;  rt  n- 
dering  the  same  service  to  the  same  country  at  the 
same  time  in  the  hour  of  its  peril:^,  even  to  ilie  sacii- 
fice  of  blood  and  life. 

Every  person  should  be  proud  of  the  race  to  which 
he  belong;-j  as  God  designed  that  ali  men  should  Le 
of  one  race  and  tongue. 

These  Peculiar  People  may,  with  others  of  this  iia- 
lion,  say  that  ihcir  ancestors  belonged  10  a  wciii  dz- 
fined  race  of  people. 

The  race  question  is  lost  in  the  United  St  ues  aa  1 
stands  for  nothing,  for  according  to  tiie  'govciwu^ 
laws,  no  man  is  known  except  as  a  citizen. 

The  change  in  the  Peculiar  Peopl-i  was  brought 
about  by  contact,  bv  d-jing  avvay  with  slavery  and  by 


HE  BECOMES  PECULIAR 


35 


legislativfe  acts. 

One  thing  which  makes  Iheni  peculiar  i=;  so  much 
needless  discussion  of  a  Negro  question.  The  Negro 
is  in  Africa,  presumably  contented  and  fs  r,ot  aw^re 
of  the  fact  that  the  American  citizen  is  apitaling  the 
Negro  question.  In  the  American  republic  there  is 
no  more  Negro  question  than  there  is  a  German  or  a 
Grecian  question.  Why  should  there  be  anv  such? 
The  American  nation  is  one  in  aim,  success,  floating 
one  banner  and  h.iving  one  constitution,  by  which  all 
are  governed. 

The  Negro  question  must  have  a  Negro  flag  anJ 
cons'itution  to  protect  it  and  those  who  are  agitating 
the  question  know  that  no  such  thing  could  be  toler- 
ated  on  any  soil  except  that  in  the  possession  of  the 
Negroes, 

The  all  absorbing  thoughts  should  be:  How  best 
to  serve  the  land  which  has  given  them  birth;  how  to 
assist  in  increasing  the  productions  of  that  land;  ho.,»/ 
to  develop  her  interests;  hotv  to  make  the  very  best 
citizens  and  how  to  demand  respect  as  such. 

It  is  impossible  to  determine  the  exact  motives  of 
any  person  who  persists  in  pleading  the  cause  of  a 
people  ns  a  race  problem.  It  is  calculated  to  do  Ir- 
reparable damage  to  the  whole  of  the  Peculiar  Peo- 
ple, also  it  is  likely  to  rr^duce  the  number  :of  friends 
to  the  ?ame.  Only  one  question  can  arise  which  will 
demard  the  attention  of  each  and  every  citizen  and 
lhat  raust  alwpys  be  a  national  one. 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


DIVISION  IIL 

A  MlSAPPLlCATiON» 

The  term  "'colored"  is  misapp!ied  when  used  in 
reftrtnce  to  any  people  as  a  part  of  the  whole.  Ei- 
ther all  people  are  colored  or  none  are  colored. 

But  it  is  an  undeniable  fact  that  each  human  being 
is  tinged  somewhat;  some  more  than  others. 

White  mears  that  which  is  without  a  tint  or  shade 
of  proper  colors,  or  their  mixtures,  resembling  pure 
snow. 

The  Caucasians,  \hev^  are  not  pure  whitri,  there  is 
simplv  leps  co'oiing  matter  in  their  make-up.  Their 
features  are  acute,  their  intellect  vehement  and  they 
easily  rank  smong  the  most  progressive  of  people. 

The  individual  who  is  white  deserves  the  deepest 
sympathy  of  his  fellow  beings,  for  he  must  be  sorely 
afflicted  with  some  fearful  malady  which  destroys  the 
coloring  matter  contained  in  the  epidermis. 

All  citizens  of  this  republic  belong  to  one  of  three 
classes',  they  belong  to  the  dark,  the  light  or  the 
lightest  class. 

There  are  some  members  of  the  Peculiar  People  as 
fair  as  ary  who  may  be  seen  in  the  most  refined  Cau- 
casian gathering, 

A  conductor  being  unable  to  decide  as  to  the  prop- 
er place  for  one  of  his  passengers,  on  a  car  where  this 
separate  car  law  existed,  asked  the  passenger  if  she 
were  white  or  colored,  she  told  him  to  fir.d  out  tor 
him-self,  and  he  said  no  more  but  let  the  matter  drop . 

A  small  girl  once  asked  another  if  she  were  white, 


A  MISAPPLICATIOR 


17 


she  received  an  affirmative  answer,  she  doubted  th« 
correctness  of  the  answer  by  saying,  "You  are  too 
black  to  be  white. 

None  are  white,  none  are  black. 

Some  one  is  to  bianie  for  this  misapplication  and 
who  can  it  be?  When  a  man  mistreats  and  discrim- 
inates against  himself  others  will  do  unto  him  the 
same.  So  it  is  but  becoming  each  to  see  to  it  that 
hs  is  not  the  guilty  one. 

The  Peculiar  people  are  themselves  to  blame  for 
much  of  the  discrimination  against  themselves. 

News-papers  are  the  circulatory  system  for  dissem- 
inating all  matter  known  as  news.  The  affairs  of  one 
section  become  interesting  to  another  seetioD  by 
means  of  news-papers.  They  mould  public  senti- 
ment and  they  are  the  means  by  which  misch  good 
or  evil  may  be  done. 

All  depend  upon  their  proper  management.  Some 
news-papers  stat©  in  bold  type  on  their  front  page, 
that  they  are  Negro  Journals^  edited  by  Negroes,  in 
the  interest  of  the  Negro.  The  very  assertion  is  dis- 
gusting and  perchance  will  bring  the  blush  of  shame 
and  humiliation  to  the  reader  of  such  a  paper. 

Is  therein  all  this  land  of  America  a  news-paper 
known  as  a  Caucasian  paper,  edited  by  Caucasians, 
in  the  interest  of  Caucasians? 

There  are  papers  to  be  read  by  the  people  and  the 
Eclicitors  for  subscribers  accept  every  ptrsoD  who  is 
V.  illing  to  pay  the  subscription. 

Why  will  those  supposed  to  be  learned,  am®r.g  thd 
Peculiar  people^  injure  their  undertaking  by  calling 
themselves  what  they  are  not? 


28 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


Is  the  metal  used  in  the  press  and  the  type^brought 
from  the  mines>.  owned  and  worked  by  Negroes  im. 
Africa? 

Is  the  paper  used  the  result  of  Negro  owniarship 
and  workmanship,  and  if  so  were  these  materials 
brought  to  the  shores  of  America  on  vessels  ownecS 
and  manned  by  Negrces? 

Are  tke  men  who  conduct  these  so-called  Negrcb 
Journals  born  in  America?  No  American  journals 
edited  by  men  of  American  birth  can  be  considered 
as  Negro  Journals. 

The  argument  that  the  news  in  these  papers  con- 
cern the  Negro  is  most  ludicrous  and  not  self-sup- 
porting. A  perusal  of  many  hundred  weekly  papers, 
wkich  the  owners  of  them  say  are  Negro  papers^, 
prove  that  eight  out  of  every  ten  have  the  same  arti- 
cles on  and  pictures  of  the  same  personages  as  found 
in  Americaji  journals.- 

All  this  refutes  the  possibility  of  a  Negro  news-pa- 
per. All  the  patent  back  work  is  that  of  enterprising 
Americans  which  makes  bare  the  truth  that  some  per- 
sons take  advantage  of  what  others  may  do  and  at 
the  same  time  misapply  terms. 

Persons  must  seek  to  know  what  true  journalism  is 
and  give  to  a  reading  public  that  which  is  elevating; 
and  worth  reading. 

Negroes  are  Negroes  and  cannot  be  put  upon  pa- 
per and  read.  No  enterprise  should  be  handicapped 
by  calling  it  a  Negroe's. 

A  Negro  store  is  a  place,  located  in  Africa^  where 
one  may  purchase  a  Negro,  and  no  one  would  enter 
unless  in  search  of  a  Negro. 


A  MISAPPLICATION. 


Any  kind  of  business  may  bo  successfuHy  carried 
an  by  any  member  of  the  three  classes  of  citizens 
previously  named. 

A  proper  estimate  of  education,  industry  and  thrift 
must  inspire  the  fore-most  thinkers,  and  they  must 
<:ast  aside  everything  which  retards. 


20 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


DIVISION  IV. 
Useless  Legislation. 

These  people  need  no  special  acts  of  legislation  and 
no  specified  mode  of  benevolence.  Being  a  part  of 
this  nation,  the  day  has  long  since  passed  fcr  them  to 
ask  and  expect  favors. 

The  affairs  of  life  may  assume  uninviting  attitudes, 
but  in  due  time  everything  will  be  adjusted  ajd  will 
v;ork  out  for  the  good  of  all  who  wait.  Just  as  Ham 
was  the  youngest  of  the  sons  of  Noah,  so  are  these 
Peculiar  people  among  the  youngest  of  Natural  born 
American  citizens,  all  of  whom  are  bound  together  by 
a  national  tie,  too  strong  to  be  easily  broken. 

The  greatest  importance  of  these  people  did  net 
begin  at  their  liberation  from  the  bonds  of  servitude, 
but  like  the  towering  oak  which  began  its  life  in  the 
shape  ot  an  acorn,  their  importance  is  growing  ard 
increasing.  With  advancement  and  age  come  a  full 
development  of  m.aturity  and  strength. 

These  people  have  suffered  much  and  have  suffei  ed 
long,  and  yet  since  the  light  of  freedom  has  been  shed- 
ding its  rays  along  the  road  of  prsgress,  much  of  the 
past  has  been  blotted  out  of  renismbrance. 

To  ask  and  expect  favors  as  a  distinct  race  of  peo- 
ple is  ona  of  the  many  peculiarities  of  these  peop!e, 
and  it  is  not  al  all  in  keeping  with  the  coi\f  titution  of 
this  republic.  If  a  persistent  demand  is  made  for  spe- 
cial and  separate  legislation,  because  their  ancestors 
were  brought  here  as  slaves,  then,  a  m.ost  serious 
mistake  is  made;  one  that  may  ever  retard  their  pro- 
gress; a  mistake  which  may  always  keep  them  in  li  e 


USELESS  LEGISLATION. 


position  of  inferiors,  as  members  ofthis  nation;  a  mis- 
lake  which  will  give  to  other  members  of  this  nation 
an  equal  right  to  ask  for  separate  legislation;a  mistake 
which  will  render  the  weak  still  weaker  and  make 
the  strong  more  powerful;  a  mistake  which  will  be  a 
little  less  than  a  hot-house  for  envy,  strife,  prejudice 
and  a  vast  number  of  obstacles  in  the  way  of  advance- 
ment. 

No  where  on  this  globe  is  there  such  a  damaid  for 
unity  in  eve^y  respect  as  there  is  in  the  United  States 
of  America,  Color  identity  is  comlpetel y  absorbed  in 
the  very  name  applied  to  this  section. 

If  the  States  are  united  the  people  who  compose 
those  states  must  be  united  also.  They  are  one,  and 
color,  nor  previous  condition  of  servitude  can  alter 
the  fact  that  all  citizens  of  this  republic  are  to  be  gov- 
erned  by  the  same  moral  and  civil  laws. 

There  may  be,  and  indeed  there  are,  irregularit'es 
existing  now  which  are  productive  of  a  feeling  of  u;i- 
fairness  in  the  administration  of  our  laws,  but  the 
laws  themselves  are  not  responsible. 

Like  humidity  rising  from  the  earth,  ths  oppressive 
feeling  of  discrimination  is  noticeable;  the  high 
against  the  low;  the  rich  against  the  poor,  and  the 
■descendants  of  former  slaves  against  the  descendants 
of  the  former  slave-holder. 

Words  would  fail  to  express  the  results  of  discrim- 
ination if  it  were  possible  to  have  special  legislaiioii 
for  the  government  of  one  set  of  people. 

Undoubtedly  the  results  wou'd  be  disastrous  and 
the  discontent  and  maladm'nislration  which  would 
follow  could  not  be  parailed. 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


An  incorrect  statement  is  made  by  saying  that  the 
taking  of  life,  by  the  method  of  lynching,  is  the  work 
of  white  men,  and  according  to  the  constitution  of  the 
United  State  the  men  who  are  lynched  are  not  color- 
ed men.  Race  obligations  are  violated^  and  the  laws 
of  our  country  are  trampled  under  the  feet  of  men 
and  few  there  are  who  know  the  facts  as  they  exist. 

One  set  of  citizens  conceive  an  idea  that  the  laws 
are  not  to  be  respected^  and  attempt  to  violate  them. 
Their  acts  are  not  controlled  by  self  respect  and  na- 
turally they  have  not  the  right  conception  of  Ameri- 
can citizenship^ 

Then,  there  are  those  who  take  upon  themselves 
the  right  to  administer  the  correction  according  to 
their  own  discretion. 

American  citizens  are  lynch«d  by  American  citizens 
and  the  only  legislation  needed  is  that  which  will 
prevent  one  citizen  from  taking  the  administration  of 
the  law  out  of  the  hands  of  those  appointed. 

The  good  member  of  this  government  must  knew 
that  his  protection  does  not  depend  upon  th«  color  of 
his  skin,  and  the  criminal  member  of  this  government 
must  know  that  the  laws  for  the  criminal  portion  are 
blind  to  evtrything  but  justice. 

Humanity  demands  such  legislation  and  right  and 
justice  ask  for  the  enforcement  of  the  same.  The 
consideration  of  color  is  not  worthy  of  mention. 

With  the  proper  application  of  the  laws,  this  country 
of  the  free,  would  have  fewer  blemiihes  and  the  Pe- 
culiar people  would  be  an  honor.  The  laws  are  suffi- 
cient to  protect  every  man,  who  is  a  part  of  the  Unit» 
ed  Stat«s,  and  all  the  acts  of  violence,  committed  by 


USELESS  LEGISLATION. 


25 


citizens,  are  against  the  laws  which  have  been  enactedf 
for  the  preservation  of  na  tional  peace  and  prosperity^ 

Those  holding  the  reins  of  government  are  respon-- 
sible  for  any  infringment  on  or  disregard  for  the  laws 
of  another  country,  by  the  citizenof  this  republic. 

The  whole  American  nation  must  feel  the  effects  ot 
of  the  acts  of  its  people.  What  is  needed  is  a  law  to 
compel  those  ia  power  to  rigidly  enforce  and  carry 
out  the  principles  upon  which  this  government  is 
based. 

The  ways  devised  by  the  maker  of  all  mankind  are^ 
beyond  the  conception  of  any  of  His  created  beirgp^ 
and  cannot  be  explained.  His  rod  of  chastisement 
assumes  many  and  varied  shapes. 

Flood  and  flames,  which  lay  low  in  destruction's 
path  all  that  is  dear  to  human  happiness:-  life  and 
property^  are  afflictions  sent  upon  the  American  na- 
tion and  not  upon  the  black  man  nor  the  wbitc  man. 

Are  there  those  who  can  question  the  motive  or  tbe 
justice  of  the  Divine  Father? 

If  one  truth  stands  out  more  prominentlv  than  air 
others,  it  is  that  the  RuTer  of  this  universe  makes  no 
discrinr.inf.tion.  The  fairest  of  Americans  rfceiven& 
more  consideration  in  the  howt'ng  tempest  than  Ihe 
darkest  ones.  After  the  fury  f  f  the  storm  has  pass- 
ed and  an  estimate  of  the  loss  of  life  hai  been  calcu- 
latfedj,  a  conclusive  evidence  of  the  justice  of  God  is 
manifested.  All  that  is  left  of  former  citisens  is  con- 
signed to  mother  eai  th,  from  which  all  origijsated. 
The  loss  of  life  is  not  felt  from  a  racial  stsndpomt,  but 
first  from  family  conned  ion  and  next  from  ths  nation- 
al, as  the  entire  population  is  affected. 


24 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


In  a  dry  and  parched  season,  when  all  vegetation 
suffers,  the  Peculiar  people  are  not  the  only  ones  de- 
sirous for  a  change,  but  all  the  other  people  who  go  to- 
make  this  great  nation. 

Does  it  not  appear  to  be  very  much  out  of  harmony 
vvith  nature,  for  man,  weak  in  his  own  strength,  to 
dra\^  the  line  of  distinction  on  himself  and  on  bis  fel- 
low man? 

All  calamities  are  intended  as  warnings  that  all- 
men  are  born  equal. 


NO  LONGER  BEGGARS.  %$ 


DIVISION  V. 
No  Longer  Beggars, 

The  position  to  be  desired  is  t»ne  of  elevation  and 
trast,  which  is  sufficient  to  produce  a  self  reliancy  in 
the  hearts  of  any  people. 

The  paramount  disposition  must  make  the  people 
feel  that  the  success  of  this  nation  depends  largely 
on  their  loyalty  to  the  constitution. 

"*'A  man  must  liv«  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow"v  The 
present  condition  of  these  people  is  not  indicative  of 
pauperism,  and  a  charge  of  systematically  begging 
■cannot  be  applied  to  them.  The  asking  of  help  ^o 
promote  a  cause  which  makes  the  nation  stronger  fi- 
nancially and  intellectually,  is  not  to  be  condemed, 
but  complimented  and  supported. 

The  better  the  material  used  in  building  a  ship  the 
more  capaMe  that  ship  is  of  standing  the  storms  when 
making  voyages. 

The  intelligence  of  a  nation  increases  in  proportion 
to  the  increase  of  the  intelligence  of  those  who  consti- 
tute it,  so  if  aid  is  given  to  any  school  thd  good  resuls, 
like  a  wave,  stretch  out  to  others. 

A  petition  f  )r  assistance  on  the  basis  of  previous 
servitude  should  receive  little  or  no  encouragement 
at  all.  Great  care  is  necessary  or  irreparable  criii- 
dsm  may  follow  mi-representation. 

There  are  thojQ  of  the  United  States  who  res;?.r  1 
the  Peculiar  people  as  unworthy  of  ct*nfidance  and  un- 
fit for  citizenship,  especially  those  who  are  so  narrow 
as  to  have  no  wish  to  discover  qualities  of  value  in 
any  but  theaiselves* 


26 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE, 


Ministers,  who  ought  to  know  the  truth  and  teach 
and  preach  it,  make  many  blunders  and  do  not  give 
credit  when  and  where  it  ii  due. 

Not  since  the  formation  of  this  government  has 
there  been  so  much  false  doctrine  preached  from  the 
pulpits,  as  at  this  time. 

The  pulpit  should  aid  in  elevating  struggling  hu- 
manity. Bui  the  sacred  deslc  is  being  defiled  and 
used  for  the  purpose  of  injuring  a  large  part  of  this 
nation,  instead  of  imparting  the  truth  that  "AU  men 
are  born  free  and  equal." 

The  Bible  might  as  well  be  discarded  in  some 
churches,  for  the  object  intended  t^  be  accomplished 
has  been  relegated  to  the  rear.  There  are  some,  also> 
who  believe  that  the  Peculiar  people  deserve  respect 
and  fair  treatment. 

Their  argument  is  that  a  people  having  passed  from 
one  stage  to  another,  developing  at  each  the  ability 
to  cope  with  others,  cannot  be  easily  crushed  and  ig- 
nored. There  are  those,  who  by  their  efforts,  serv- 
ing as  monuments  of  honor. 

These  people  will  be  sought  and  desired,  notwith- 
standing the  opposition  of  to-day;they  are  not  idlers. 
No  good  material  is  rejected  in  the  construction  of  a 
building.  *  'The  stone  which  the  builders  refused  has 
become  the  Head  Stone  of  the  corner." 

The  American  nation  may  be  called  upon  to  face 
the  combined  powers  of  the  world,  and  who  can  tell 
but  what  the  future  salvation  may  hinge  on  the  posi- 
tion held  by  these  Peculiar  people. 

A  nalion,  whose  bounds  are  ever  expanding,  can- 
not say  of  its  members   "There  is  no  need  oftheev" 


NO  LONGER  BEGGARS.  4^ 


The  Amtrican  rspublic  would  be  ds  incomplete  with- 
out these  Peculiar  people^  ai  a  man  would  be  without 
oa«  of  his  limbs. 

The  place  ooci  filled  by  pauperism  is  now  filled  b  y 
(he  desire  lo  be  strong  and  serviceable, 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE.. 


DIVISION  VL 
His  Abode. 

The  suggestion  that  this  people  leave  this  country^ 
and  go  to  some  other  dime,  is  not  American  and  it 
unbecoming  a  great  nation,-^  for  these  reasons  alone 
no  legal  steps  have  been  taken  to  carry  into  execu- 
tion any  such  suggestion. 

Shall  people  be  forced  to  leave  their  home  and  go 
to  dwell  among  strangers?  The  Peculiar  people  have 
no  claim  on  any  land  except  the  one  which  made  them 
citizens. 

Had  this  government  sent  to  Africa  all  the  descen- 
dants of  the  first  slaves^  when  slavery  was  abolished, 
instead  of  making  new  citizens  of  them^  affairs  would 
have  been  materially  different  and  quite  the  reverse 
of  what  they  are  to-day. 

But,  no^  the  prevailing  sentiment  was  that  the  once 
enslaved  people  would,  if  given  a  chance,  make  bet- 
ter  citizens  than  they  had  slaves. 

There  are  some  among  and  identified  with  the  Pe- 
culiar people  who  advocate  the  emmigration  scheme 
and  assign  many  reasons,  but  none  are  plausible 
enough  for  this  government  to  lend  any  assistance. 
At  the  bottom  of  these  schemes  lie  hidden  the  real 
motives. 

The  Caucasian  part  of  this  republic  has  an  equal 
right  to  go  to  Africa  and  permanently  reside.  Noth- 
ing could  be^  nor  would  be,  thought  were  a  combina* 
tion  of  the  fairest  members  of  the  United  States  to 
enter  and  claim  possession  of  some  parts  of  Africa. 

Were  not  the  Indians,  who  were  once  happy  on 


HIS  ABODE. 


their  pleasant  hunting  grounds,  routed  and  cheated 
out  of  their  belongings?  Were  they  not  deprived  of 
and  killed  off  the  very  land  which  is  now  calied  "The 
land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave"? 

Like  all  other  people  these  new  citizens  have  their 
faults,  and  very  many  of  them  are  borrowed  faults. 

It  cannot  be  said  of  any  nation  that  it  is  free  from, 
faults,  because  the  people  who  make  the  nations  are 
not  perfect.  Perfection  in  any  people  will  not  be  at- 
tained in  this  life,  but  Improvement  in  all  things  if. 
admissible. 

This  being  the  home  of  the  Peculiar  people,  it  is- 
also  the  place  for  correcting,  as  far  as  possible,  all. 
mistakes;  it  is  the  place  for  acquiring  strength.  They 
are  not  as  strong  in  national  affairs  as  they  will  be 
and  yet  the  time  is  at  hand  for  them  to  stand  alone-. 

There  is  no  reason  why,  after  years  of  successful 
struggles,  they  should  be  fed  from  a  bottle  and  treats 
ed  as  nurselings. 

In  their  early  adoption  as  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  they  were  weak  and  unsteady  and  needed 
help,  but  to  continue  to  expect  the  same  retards  their, 
progress.  The  responsibili-y  of  thinking  and  acting 
like  other  people  rests  upon  '.them.  To  discriminate 
between  good  and  bad  is  the  right  of  every  man;  no 
bonds  now  hinder  the  persuance  of  right,  and  an  hon- 
est discharge  of  duty  to  one's  self  will  prove  condu- 
cive to  good  citizenship  and  an  elevation  in  the  esti- 
mation of  home-people. 

No  people  ever  ascended  to  real  prominence  with- 
out opposition,  which  had  to  be  boldly  met  and  cour- 
ageously subdued.   Perplexities  multiply  as  a  pro- 


so  A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


gressive  people  advance  in  life's  march,  and  no  peo* 
pie  may  expect  to  amount  to  much  at  home  if  every 
thing  moves  on  gently. 

Certainly  by  the  Peculiar  citizens  remainm^  at 
home,  no  other  member  of  the  national  family  is 
forced  out  of  his  place;  there  is  room  for  all.  There 
is  even  room  for  other  nationalities  to  come  in  and  se^ 
cure  the  wealth  of  the  land  and  return  to  their  own 
homes  and  enjoy  it;  there  is  even  room  for  the  anar- 
chist to  come  in  and  slay  the  chief  executive  of  the 
American  republic.  Then,  surely  the  inoffersive  ofif- 
spring  of  American  slavery,  bred  and  born  on  Ameri- 
can soil,  in  the  midst  of  the  offsprings  of  American 
slave-holders,  will  be  accorded  the  snme  right  to  re- 
main at  home  and  enjoy  the  privileges  of  his  home,  as 
is  given  to  the  other  citizens.  At  any  rate  these  Pecu- 
liar people  are  quite  willing  to  make  any  allowance 
for  many  shortcomings;  it  is  evident  to  them  that  the 
whole  nation  is  young  and  is  doing  fairly  well. 

By  the  time  ii  becomes  very  old  there  will  be  no 
distinction  at  all,  but  the  whole  world  will  look  on 
and  say,  "Behold  them,  see  bow  they  dwell  togeth* 
er  in  love." 


BUSINESS,  AND  SOCIAL  CONDITION. 


DIVISION  VII. 
Business,  wealth  and  social  condition. 

When  the  Peculiar  people  started  out  as  dtizeiia  of 
this  republic,  they  were  worse  than  poor  in  purse,  as 
all  the  labor  of  their  fore-fathers  had  been  used  in  set- 
ting the  slave-holders  and  their  children  up  in  busi- 
ness. 

For  some  time  these  people  were  obliged  to  confine 
their  attention  to  whatever  presented  itself  in  th^ 
line  of  work.  It  was  not  the  intention  ofthe  Divine 
Creator  that  all  these  people  should  be  tillers  of  soil, 
no,  not  by  any  means. 

Each  year  since  the  emancipation, the  number  of  Pe- 
culiar people;engaged  in  some  profitable  business  has 
been  increased  and  the  business  conducted  on  larger 
and  broader  principles. 

The  progress  made  by  the  Peculiar  people  has  been 
as  great  as  that  made  by  any  people,  under  similar 
circumstances  in  the  same  length  of  time. 

By  a  careful  and  judicious  application  to  busine«fs 
the  wealth  of  these  people  hPLs  steadily  grown  and  it 
is  not  an  uncommon  occurence  to  find  many  of  the 
Peculiar  people  possessing  as  much,  if  not  more,  than 
many  ofthe  children  of  the  first  settlers. 

To  be  sure  these  people  are  like  others  of  tlie  na- 
tion; all  of  no  class  of  people  are  thrifty;  there  are 
some  who  are  idle,  indifferent  and  burdensome,  but 
the  same  kind  are  to  be  found  among  the  fairest  of 
this  nation. 

The  bulk  of  property,  owned  by  the  Peculiar  peo- 
ple, would  be  greater  if  wages  were  better  and  ex- 


31  A  PECULIAR.PEOPLE. 


horbitant  prices  were  not  charged  when  an  attempt 
is  made  to  purchase  real-estate. 

All  kinds  of  obstacles  are  placed  in  the  way.  A 
piece  of  ground  will  be  sold  to  one  of  the  fairest  citi- 
zens for  what  it  is  worth,  but  if  one  of  the  darkest 
citizens  desires  to  purchase  a  like  piece  he  will  be 
charged  twice  its  real  value. 

Notwithstanding  all  over-charges  these  people 
ire  becoming  wealthy,  and  h  provts  a  capability  of 
making  the  best  citizens. 

It  is  conceded  that  in  the  h6mes  of  most  of  these 
people  are  to  be  found  the  comforts, which  are  need- 
ed to  make  the  home  I  appy  and  life  comfortable.  The 
conclusion  is  that  thrift  snd  management  brought 
about  such  results.  No  iaherifiance  was  handed  down 
from  ancestors,  because,  for-sooth,  the  labor  of  the 
slave  was  utilized  in  enriching  the  coffers  of  others. 

As  citizens  of  America  the  same  right  belongs  to 
the  Peculiar  people, to  select  their  associates  aa  to  oth- 
er people.  The  sensitiveness  cf  thoir  nature  precludes 
the  idea  of  overstepping  the  limits  of  propriety.  The 
companionship  of  some  are  often  forced  upon  these 
people,  and  when  the  fact  becomes  known  the  part- 
nership association  dwindles  to  one  p.  rtaer  instead 
of  two. 

Beings  which  are  unlike  socially  have  no  affinity  for 
•ach  other,  and  if  forced  for  a  time  to  mingle,  will 
gradually  separate  like  oil  and  water.  Tha  Peculiar 
people  are  able  to  look  after  themselves  socially  just 
as  they  d©  religously. 

They  learned  how  to  build  and  conduct  their  church- 
es and  noiV  worship  under  their  own  roofs;  they  have 


BUSINESS  AND  SOCIAL  CONDITION.  33 


'also  learned  how  to  conduct  their  social  functions  with 
the  same  grace  and  sfyle  that  is  seen  in  any  gathering 
«f  the  fairest  of  Americans  citizens. 

Something  is  materially  wron;?  with  the  make  up 
of  any  one  who  desires  to  force  himself  into  any  social 
circle  which  prefers  not  to  have  his  companionship. 
The  repablic  is  so  spacious  that  all  may  enjoy  them- 
selves and  only  go  where  wanted. 

Suppose  places  of  amusements  can  and  do  exist 
without  the  patronage  of  some  of  the  citizens^,  no  one 
should  become  faint  and  commit  suicide.  There  are 
»o  many  ways  for  becoming  informed  and  progressing 
in  this  life. 

The  intelligence  of  a  class  of  cit'zens  is  open  for 
criticism  when  that  class  is  happy  and  contented  to 
mingle  and  associate  with  those  of  the  Peculiar  peo- 
ple who  will  fill  posit'ons  as  serfs,  and  decline  to  '^it 
in  a  place  of  amusement  beside  an  educated  and  re- 
fined dark-skinned  man  or  woman. 

Such  is  the  proof  that  there  are  those  among  the 
fairest  citizens  incompetent  to  appreciate  inte'ligefce 
and  too  obtuse  to  know  that  tlvey  are  recedmg  each 
day,  while  the  Peculiar  people  are  becoming  a  pow- 
er, reliiiiously  and  socially. 

The  same  state  of  affairs  exists  relative  to  the  mod  - 
of  travelling.  The  separate  car  laws  do  not  prevent 
disasters,  by  any  means.  The  nl^re  the  laws  are  e  1- 
forced  fhe  more  G  )d  becomes  incen^f  d  at  'he  treat- 
ment accorded  to  some  of  His  creatures  by  others. 

All  discrimmaiion  on  the  part  of  one  set  of  I'itizev  s 
illustrates  their  inability  to  discern  between  good 
and  bad  or  moral  and  social  obligation. 


54 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


Those  intended  to  be  injured  are  not,  but  come  oul 
of  the  testing;  crucible  only  brighter,  healthier  and 
wealthier. 


IMITATIVENESS  AND  RESULTS.  3S 


DIVISION  VIII. 
Imitativeness  and  Rfsult^. 

Being  American  citizens,  the  Peculiar  people  do 
fiot  differ  from  the  other  citiiens;  all  men  are  imita- 
tors and  are  dependent  on  each  other.  If  fine  clothes 
will  make  an-improvement  in  one  person,  it  will  do 
the  same  in  the  case  of  another;  if  change  of  locality 
improves  the  health  of  one  person  it  will  do  the  same 
for  another  similarly  situated. 

Fine  carriages,  drawn  by  dashing  steeds,  make 
the  impression  of  wealth  and  refinement  in  the  case 
of  one;  it  will  do  the  same  in  the  case  of  another. 

The  whole  American  nation  may  be  truthfully  call- 
ed imatators. 

This  habit  is  found  where  ever  men  abide.  These 
people  have  the  same' faculties;  they  may,  and  do,  ap- 
preciate all  that  is  grand  and  noble;  they  have  shown 
their  ability  to  do  the  same  things  and  do  them  juNt 
as  well  as  any  other  people;  they  are  seen  in 
avenues  of  life  and  great  has  been  their  improve- 
ment, in  the  midst  of  so  much  opposition.  Nothing 
daunts  them  in  their  onward  march  to  higher  citi- 
aenship  and  victorj^ 

Some  mistakes  are  made  by  the  habit  of  following 
the  example  of  some  who  are  supposed  to  do  only 
what  is  right. 

Crime  of  any  kind  was  almost  unknown  to  the  an- 
cestors of  the  Peculiar  people  and  crimes  of  certain 
natures  were  never  committed. 

Being  citizens  make  a  great  difference  nov/;  tha 
fairest  citiz  ens,  having  a  monopoly  cf  all  po3!tio::s  of 


36 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


honor  and  trust,  are  more  given  t©  appropriating  the 
belongings  oi  another  to  their  own  purposes  than 
the  darkest  citizens  are. 

The  force  of  nftimicing  has  been  so  effective,  that 
in  an  unsuspecting  moment  some  of  the  Peculiar  peo- 
ple have  gone  to  their  ruin„ 

Be  it  said,  to  the  credit  of  the  great  majority,  these 
people  do  not  take  to  bad  examples  very  readily. 

Not  one  crime  has  been  committed  by  any  of  the 
Peculiar  people  which  has  not  been  committed  by 
other  members  of  the  national  family.  Be  the  crime 
of  what  ever  nature  possible,  the  dishonor  falls  on 
the  whole  people  and  one  class  may  not  say  to  an- 
other,    look,  see  how  your  people  act". 

It  behooves  those  who  have  had  every  thing  in 
their  favor  to  set  good  precedents,  that  those  who 
follow  may  make  few  mistakes. 


T.tken  Oct.  1904. 

MISS  BEATRIZ  LUCINDA  CHASE. 


THE  POLITICAL  ATMOSPHERE. 


DIVISION  IX. 
The  Political  atmosphere. 

At  last  a  most  wonderful  division  in  the  composition 
of  the  Peculiar  p-^ople  has  been  reached.  Having  ail 
the  rights  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  an  interest 
in  the  political  affairs  of  the  nation  is  but  natural. 
With  the  proper  adjustment  of  the  political  atmos- 
phere every  thing  will  work  out  for  the  glory  of  God 
and  the  upbuilding  of  humanity. 

The  human  body  is  constantly  undergoing  changes 
and  the  mind  or  soul  which  occupies  the  tenement  of 
clay  is  also  susceptible  to  changes.  Every  thing 
changes  as  the  years  goby,  and  that  individual  who 
experiences  no  alteration  in  his  physical  and  men- 
tal make  up  can  never  become  a  true  American  citi- 
xen. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  when  freedom  came,  th« 
ex-slav©  felt  that  he  owed  to  the  republican  party  a 
debt  which  never  could  be  paid. 

He  felt  that  it  was  his  duty  to  support  that  party  be- 
cause it  was  the  strongest  in  existence  at  that  period.. 
The  principles  of  the  republican  party  were  not  fully 
understood,  but  the  simple  name  was  all  that  attract- 
ed. The  bitterest  enemy  could  have  concealed  hi* 
identity  under  the  garb  of  republicanism. 

Some  of  the  liberated  beings  knew  that  God  had 
used  the  republican  party  as  an  instrument  in  bring- 
ing to  them  the  light  of  freedom;  others  thought  that 
the  party  came  into  existence  for  no  other  purpose 
than  to  rescue  them  from  bondage. 

A  few  of  these  poor,  benighted  souls  really  believed 


38 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


that  the  republican  party  shouldered  arms,  marched 
on  tke  field  of  battle,  fought,  bled  and  died,  that  free- 
dom might  come  to  the  enslaved.  The  true  cause  of 
the  war  of  the  rebellion  was  not  made  clear  and  some 
could  not  have  understood  what  was  meant  by  sav- 
ing the  union. 

To'some,  saving  the  union  meant  an  object  to  be 
seen  or  felt.  How  was  the  slave  to  realize  a  mean- 
ing when  he  was  not  permitted  to  educate  himself  so 
as  to  comprehend  anything  in  books  and  papers. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  save  the  union  without 
considering  the  condition  of  the  slaves  with  the  re- 
sult that  the  Ruler  of  men's  destiny  was  not  satisfied 
so  the  effort  proved  a  failure,  The  Divine  Creator 
intended  that  in  saving  ©ne,  all  had  to  be  rescued. 
Thus  is  seen  the  working  of  Providence.  '  God  often 
saves  His  people  throi;gh  the  very  channel  intended 
for  their  destruction. 

At  any  rate  the  republican  party  was  regarded  ao 
the  best  friend  the  new  citizens  had.  As  Christ  had 
become  the  liberator  of  man  from  the  bondage  cfsin, 
so  had  this  party  become  the  rescuer  of  slave  men. 

Who  can  estimate  the  number  ef  ex-siaves  who 
lost  their  lives  by  allying  themselves  to  ghat  pany? 
Men  were  driven  from  their  families;  men  were  killed 
for  no  other  crime  than  that  of  being  republican. 

As  everything  is  changing,  kas  not  a  change  been 
wrought  in  the  attitude  of  the  republican  party,  to- 
wards the  dark-skinned  citizens  ©f  this  ccuutry? 

Are  not  the  Peculiar  people  made  to  understand 
that  the  party  which  brought  the  light  of  freedom  to 
the  slavss,  whether  intentionally  or  not,  is  a  thing  of 


THE  POLITICAL  ATMOSPHERE.  39 


the  past? 

Do  not  ali  political  factions  cease  to  love  the  ex- 
slave  and  his  off-springs,  after  having  used  them  to 
further  their  purposes? 

May  not  the  Peculiar  people, as  citizens  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  change  also,  and  do  those  things  which 
are  best  adapted  to  their  surroundings? 

In  so  many  instances  are  the  Peculiar  people  im- 
posed upon,  not  because  those  imposing  hate  them 
so  much,  but  because  there  is  still  a  bitter  feeling 
against  the  principles  of  that  party  with  which  near- 
ly every  member  of  the  Peculiar  people  is  allied. 

There  is  still  the  effort  to  preserve  the  union  of  the 
republic,  which  makes  more  forcible  the  intention  of 
the  republican  party. 

Being  men  and  citizens  every  one  is  expected  to  stud- 
y  his  own  interest  and  not  be  told  to  do  this  or  that. 

The  disfranchisement  of  any  citizens  of  this  country 
is  not  right,  does  not  reflect  credit  and  will  only  suc- 
ceed for  a  time. 

Agitation,  when  conducted  judiciously  and  honest- 
ly does  much  towards  helping  a  cause,  but  there  are 
some  mistakes  being  made  by  persons  claiming  to  be 
friends  of  the  oppressed. 

It  is  very  hard  to  court  the  favor  of  a  looker-oa, 
who  sees  the  life  being  crushed  out  of  a  people,  and 
says  that  nothing  can  be  done  to  save  that  life. 

These  people  have  been  true  to  the  men  and  meas- 
ures of  the  republican  party,  almost  regardless  of 
their  interests;  for  so  often  have  these  people  sup- 
ported the  party  of  their  choice  and  depended  at  tkc 
same  time  for  dtily  bread  upon  those  who  opposed 


40 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


the  republican  party. 

What  is  the  state  of  affairs  at  present?  The  Pecu- 
liar people  are  trying  to  remain  in  the  inclosure  of 
republicanism  and  are  followirg  the  adage  that  "A 
rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss." 

The  descendants  of  the  party  of  Abraham  Lioc'in 
ar«  destroying  all  the  planks  which  formed  a  fe.tce 
around  the  republican  inclosure,  trying^  at  th:;  same 
time  to  escape  through  the  most  convenient  aperture. 
Some  who  were  conceived  and  born  in  the  republican 
party  advocate  changes  because  better  resuhs  may 
be  obtained. 

Must  the  dark-skinned  citizens  remain  In  a  position 
like  Plaster  of  Paris  images,  and  not  exercise  the 
rights  given  them  in  the  constitution  of  this  govern* 
ment? 

Be  they  men  or  beasts?  Created  in  the  liktness  of 
God  as  all  other  people  are,  ii  only  becomes  any 
who  may  be  inclined  to  control  or  dictate  to  cease  at 
once  and  let  them  be  guided  by  conscience. 

No  part  of  the  constitution  of  the  United  States 
may  be  so  construed  as  to  allow  ^;ome  citiiens  the 
privilege  of  changing  their  political  sentiments,  and 
compel  others  to  adhere  to  one,  whether  it  is  for  their 
good  or  not. 

Surroundings  and  locality  must  influence  the  polit- 
ical inclinations  of  people.  What  may  be  good  for 
•oul  and  body  in  one  section  may  be  injurious  in 
another.  If  only  ©ne  party  existed  and  the  desire  of 
one  man  was  the  desire  of  all,  then,  there  would  be 
no  reason  for  any  change. 

The  greatest  opposing  elements  are  in  the  northern 


THE  POLITICAL  ATMOSPHERE.  41 


and  southern  stctions.  When  the  slavei  were  libar- 
ated,  they  were  left  dependent  on  the  very  persons 
from  whom  they  had  been  taken.  The  former  mas- 
ters were  not  pleased  with  theIo<?s  they  had  sustain- 
ed, and  while  they  were  compelled,  they  were  not 
over  anxious  to  employ  their  ex-slaves  to  do  their 
T\  ~k.  They  made  the  best  of  the  situation  and  the 
truth  is  that  the  Peculiar  people  have  grown  and  de- 
veloped just  as  all  the  other  people  of  the  South 
have  done. 

It  must  be  remembered  tha«  the  South  has  its 
many  faults  and  the  North  is  far  from  perfection,  in 
its  dealings  with  the  Peculiar  citiaens. 

If  it  were  possible  for  the  republican  party  to  give 
employment  in  the  government  to  every  dark-skinned 
man  at  the  head  of  a  family,  it  is  doubtful  whether 
such  would  be  done.  What,  then  must  become  of 
the  Peculiar  people? 

Talk  will  do  no  more  for  the  dark-skianed  citizen* 
than  far  the  fairest.  It  is  all  very  well  to  say  what 
the  South  .should  do,  but  it  would  be  so  much  more 
acceptable  if  the  republican  party  would  treat  the 
Peculiar  people  consistently. 

There  are  many  who  oppose  the  principles  of  the 
republican  party  in  tha  northern  section  of  the  re- 
public, but  there  are  more  in  the  southern,  for  near- 
ly all  the  people,  except  the  Peculiar,  chanee  their 
affiliations  when  they  reach  the  South-land  and  ev- 
erything: moves  along  smoothly.  Why  not  permit 
all  the  people,  then,  to  survey  their  surroundings  and 
conduct  themselves  accordingly? 

Just  as  certain  vegetable  productions  are  better 


42 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


adapted  to  certain  localities,  and  do  not  thrive  when 
transplanted  to  others,  just  so  with  principles;  the 
South  is  not  likely  to  receive  the  ideas  of  the  North 
and  make  them  productive  of  much  good.  The 
South  is  told  to  do  what  the  North  fails  to  accomplish. 

The  cx-slive  weuld  h»ve  suffered  untold  depriva- 
tions had  not  his  ex-master  given  him  employment, 
and  at  tho  present  time,  in  n*  section  as  much  as  the 
northern,  are  the  Peculiar  people  more  crowded  out 
of  all  kinds  of  employment. 

The  change  from  bondage  was  severe  on  the  ex- 
slave  holder;  the  party  that  was  instrumental  in  free- 
ing the  slaves  failed  to  make  any  provisions  for  their 
future  welfare.  Thousands  of  acres  of  land,  belong- 
ing to  the  government,  could  have  been  utilized  as 
homes  forth©  freed-men,  bnt  they  were  left  in  an  un- 
cultivated Stat©. 

The  land  could  have  been  given  with  the  under- 
standing that  all  occupants  would  be  expected,  at  all 
times,  to  support  the  party  which  God  had  used  in 
breaking  asunder  the  chains  of  slavery. 

Then  the  republican  party,  on  looking  over  its  pos- 
sessions,could  rightly  say  "They  are  mine,  all  mine". 

But  these  people  were  left  in  a  state  of  infancy  to 
eke  out  a  living  and  citizenship  the  best  they  could. 

Tho  result  is  to-day  that  the  ex-slaves  and  their  chil- 
dren make  a  Peculiar  people,  in  a  peculiar  land  breath- 
ing a  peculiar  atmosphere,  surrounded  by  peculiar 
circumstances  and  in  the  midst  of  a  most  peculiar  na- 
tion. 

Each  section  wants  them  yet  no  section  loves  them, 
each  political  party  tries  to  get  along  without  them 


THE  POLITICAL  ATMOSPHERE. 


on  account  of  the  dislikes  on©  party  has  for  the  others. 

Since  it  is  true  that  there  are  many  in  the  republi- 
can party,  who  are  opposed  to  the  Peculiar  psople, 
and  many  in  other  parties  who  are  willing  to  accord 
them  their  rights,  as  citizens,  the  Peculiar  people 
must  think  and  act  for  their  best  interest. 

It  is  inconsistent  to  expect  these  people  in  the  South 
to  do  like  those  in  the  North,  it  is  against  them. 

Whatever  may  be  wrong  with  the  southern  section, 
the  northern  section  has  failed  to  produce  any  better 
material  than  the  South. 

As  slavery  was  a  child  of  the  S'>uth,  of  course  more 
of  the  offsprings  of  slavery  are  to  be  found  there. 

The  Peculiar  people  of  the  North  mean  well,  but 
they  do  not  help  to  belter  the  condition  of  their 
brothers  in  the  south-land,  by  telling  them  to  do  this 
and  that.  While  one  part  of  these  people  are  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  other,  it  is  well  for  all  concerned  to 
know  that  there  is  no  need  for  gratuitous  advice  at 
home. 

What  does  t^o  disfranchisement  of  thesi  people  in 
the  South  mean,  if  it  does  not  mean  their  disfran- 
chisement in  the  North,  and  every  where  thej  are  in 
great  Mumbers? 

The  South  started  the  ball  of  disfranchisement  to 
rolling  and  each  state  is  inclined  to  keep  it  going. 

The  South  has  but  to  put  itself  up  as  a  model  and 
the  North  will  not  be  very  tardy  in  taking  a  pattern, 
especially  if  the  only  ones  compromised  are  the  Pe- 
culiar people. 

The  Peculiar  people  have  adhered  to  one  party,from 
the  beginning  of  their  existance,  and  now  that  the 


44 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


party  of  their  choice  can  no  longer  find  it  convenient 
to  protect  them,  from  the  power  which  threatens  to 
d€stroy  their  citizenship,  they  are  forced  to  bestir 
themseivee. 

Just  below  the  horizon,  coming  up  from  the  east, 
are  the  rays  of  happier  days;  days  which  will  bring 
to  these  people  equal  rights  before  the  law  arid  the 
privilege  to  enjoy  thos©  rights. 


GOOD  CITIZENSHIP 


45 


DIVISION  X, 

The  corner  stone  of  good  citizenship. 

Men  have  gone  to  their  fravts  and  men  are  living:, 
who  have  tried  to  solve  the  reasen  why  all  people  of 
the  United  States  are  not  alike;  why  some  are  limited 
and  others  are  not;  why  the  constitution  of  this  gov- 
ernment is  not  a  ^erotection  to  all  of  its  citizens,  Ir- 
respective of  complexion;  why  there  are  any  Pecu- 
liar people  in  the  land  of  liberty.  The  best  way  to 
reach  a  wholesome  conclusion  is  to  make  some  per- 
fons,  feel  that  a  great  responsibility  rests  with  them. 

The  time  has  come,  when  the  mothers,  among  th© 
Peculiar  people,  must  arouse  themselves.  A  most 
lasting  impression  may  and  can  be  made  on  the 
young  mi«d,  and  shall  the  mothers  among  these  peo- 
ple be  less  considerate,  in  regard  to  their  off-springs, 
than  the  mothers  of  the  brute  creation,  or  of  the 
feathered  tribe? 

Many  traits  of  character  must  be  corrected  in  early 
childhood,  ond  it  is  the  duty  of  the  mothers  or  the 
guardians  to  make  such  correction. 

When  a  disposition  which  implies  inferiority,  timid- 
mess,  slothfulnesa,  abruptness  or  covetouaneis,  man- 
ifests itself  in  a  child,  the  mother  cannot  afford  to  if - 
Bore  the  condition  of  her  child,  nor  leave  that  child 
to  the  care  of  providoaco. 

In  the  Holy  Book  wo  are  told  that  children  should 
bo  trained  the  way  they  are  t©  ko  and  when  they  are 
old  they  will  not  depart  from  that  wajr. 

Every  man,  whether  good  or  bad,  was  first  a  thild,, 
aBd  in  the  childhood  days  the  training  shetild  not  6;, 


46 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


slighted;  no  pains  should  be  spared  in  perfecting  the 
child  forths  position  waiting  for  him,  namely:  that  of 
an  American  citizen. 

Each  child  should  be  taught  that  it  is  just  as  im- 
portant to  be  a  good  citizen  of  the  country  called 
home  as  it  is  to  be  the  ruler. 

Teach  the  child  to  feel  that  he  is  a  king  and  that  the 
greatest  subject  for  him  to  govern  is  self,  for  the 
foundation  for  self  government  is  laid  at  the  mother's 
knee.  Children,  like  vine^,  will  run  wild  unless  prop- 
erly guided. 

At  the  age  of  comprehensiveness  there  should  be  in- 
stilled into  the  hearts  of  the  little  people  the  fact  that, 
every  one  born  onAmerican  soil  is  anAmerican  citizen 
and  as  such  the  laws  of  the  land  are  to  be  respected; 
that  each  citizen  of  the  republic  is  entitled  to  protec- 
tion because  he  is  a  part  of  this  great  nation. 

Children  reflect  on  and  emphasize  the  actions  of  their 
parents,  orthose  who  have  the  care  of  them,  hence  it 
is  no  very  great  task  to  start  \hem  in  the  right  direction. 

The  history  of  American  slavery  will  be  handed 
down  to  generations  yet  to  come  and  it  is  needless  to 
poison  the  young  minds  to  dislike  those  other  citizens 
who  differ  in  complexion,  hair  and  features.  Bodily 
slavery  will  never  exist  in  the  land  of  the  free  again. 
The  history  of  America  can  never  be  separated  from 
that  of  the  slave;  the  two  are  inseparable. 

A  true  mother  will  teach  her  children  only  those 
things  which  produce  good  citizens.  Indifference  and 
negligence  are  destructive  habits  and  will  not  help 
children  to  become  strong  in  this  world,  nor  will  ei- 
ther act  as  a  pass-port  in  the  world  to  come. 


GOOD  CITIZENSHIP. 


47 


Mothers  should  associate  themselves  with  their  chil- 
dren; become  partners  in  their  joys  and  griefs,  help- 
ing them  to  master  many  little  difficulties  connected 
with  child  life.  As  far  as  possible  a  complete  knowl- 
edge of  the  disposition  of  children  must  be  carefully 
studied  and  everything  eradicated,  which  will  in  after 
years  prove  injurious.  Subordinate  social  obligations 
and  all  others,  if  necessary,  and  make  the  little  folks 
first,  for  they  are  to  be  the  coming  men  and  women 
of  their  nation. 

Nothing  is  better  for  developing  the  good  and 
crushing  the  bad  than  positiveness  with  children.  It 
is  not  wise  to  be  too  hasty,  but  very  cautious  in  the 
manner  of  administering  a  correction  if  the  end  in 
view  is  for  the  betterment  of  the  ones  corrected. 

Have  children  to  obey  while  young  and  when  they 
reach  the  age  of  responsibility  it  will  be  quite  natural 
and  easy  to  comply  with  the  laws  by  which  their 
country  is  governed.  But  if  they  are  permitted  to 
have  their  way  in  infancy,  the  inclination,  throughout 
the  youthful  days,  will  be  towards  disobedience. 

The  love  of  a  mother  falls  short  of  its  responsibili- 
ty m^hen  she  is  careless  and  indifferent  as  to  the  course 
a  child  may  pursue;  such  mothers  cannot  give  to  the 
world  children  who  will  make  the  best  citixens. 

Very  often,  children,  with  comfortable  surroundings 
and  educated  mothers,  give  more  trouble,  as  citizens 
than  some  belonging  to  a  more  unfortunate  class. 

The  nearest  approach  to  perfection  in  berries  and 
fruits  is  realized  when  they  are  given  the  best  care, 
the  proper  temperature,  no  weeds  allowed  to  grow  in 
their  midst;  when  they  rtceive  the  highest  cultivation 


48 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE, 


pessible,  and  yet  they  do  not  cotxe  up  to  expect«tioni 
They  are  deformed,  some  of  the  prettiest  having  the 
taste  spoiled  by  some  objectionable  Insect. 

Sometimes  a  berry,  in  the  wild  state,  is  all  that  is 
required  in  looks  as  well  as  taste;  but  this  is  more  oft^ 
en  the  exception. 

In  so  far  as  the  young  is  concerned,  the  same  rule 
which  is  applied  to  the  vegetable  kingdom  is  applied 
to  the  animal.  By  the  most  careful  training  may 
mothers  hope  to  get  the  best  remits. 

Children  ought  never  to  be  frightened  into  doing 
what  they  are  told  to  do  by  those,  in  whose  care  they 
are.  Teach  them  to  look  to  the  officer  of  peace  for 
protection  when  on  the  street  instead  of  running  away 
and  crying.  Shame  on  the  mother  who  teaches  her 
children  to  fear  the  policeman,  by  putting  him  in  a 
false  light. 

A  very  important  thing  is  true  politeness.  Polite= 
ness  to  be  used  on  some  occasions  and  to  be  control- 
led by  the  color  of  the  skin  is  not  any  good,  but  is  to 
be  avoided.  A  polite  boy  will  treat  all  females  prop- 
erly because  they  are  females  and  because  his  early 
trainisg  was  not  neglected.  A  polite  giil  will  demand 
respect  from  all  because  many  little  things  in  her 
early  life  were  given  the  proper  attention,  and  when 
she  if  not  treated  politely  the  blame  is  not  hers,  but 
belongs  to  some  one  who  has  not  received  the  right 
instruction,  who  does  not  know  that  politeness  costs 
nothing  but  is  of  considerable  value  to  the  one  pos- 
seising  it. 

Mock  politeness,  like  eham  modesty,  has  no  depth 
and  sever  conceals  the  true  character  of  any  one. 


GOOD  CITIZENSHIP. 


49 


A  true  man  will  never  permit  the  complexion  of  a 
woman  to  keep  him  from  showing  toothers  the  po- 
liteness instilled  in  him  when  he  was  a  boy. 

It  may  be  said  that  some  children  are  neglected  and 
in  mature  years  are  obliged  to  learn  lessons  of  true 
politeness. 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


DIVISION  IX. 
Unwholesome  Practices. 

Tha  school  system  which  is  quite  the  same  throagh- 
out  the  United  States,  is  a  great  one,  and  yet  it  is  not 
without  faults,  which  if  corrected  will  improve  the 
conditions  of  many  mothers,  and  cause  them  to  hon- 
or their  obligations. 

Cookini?  schools,  sewing  schools  and  kindergartens 
should  be  open  to  children  who  are  born  in  the  most 
humble  circumstances,  and  whose  surroundings  will 
not  permit  that  training  which  will  produce  the  best 
citizens.  Children  who  are  surrounded  with  all  the 
comforts  or  even  in  moderate  circumstances,  need 
not  be  trained  in  such  schools. 

What  is  the  good  of  mothers  if  they  cannot  see  af- 
ter their  girls  and  boys;  teach  them  to  cook,  sew  and 
to  perform  all  kinds  of  domestic  work? 

There  is  work  for  the  school  teacher,  but  not  that 
which  should  be  done  in  the  homes.  The  mothers 
must  lay  the  foundation,  upon  which  teachers  are  to 
build  an  intellectual  structure.  A  very  common  ex- 
cuse given  by  many  mothers,for  the  ill  behaviour  and 
bad  manners  of  their  children^is  that  all  badness  mani- 
fested in  their  children  is  learned  in  the  kindergar- 
ten, the  cooking  or  tfee  sewing  schools. 

The  task  of  the  school  teadherv  atits  best,  is  a  hard 
one,  and  no  surprise  should  be  expressed  because  so 
few  marry  after  nursing  and  teaching  children  the 
very  things  which  should  have  been  learned  at  their 
mothers'  knee,  in  their  homes. 

The  ichool  house  door  might  safely  remain  closed 


UNWHOLESOME  PRACTICES.  51 


to  some  children,  whose  parents  are  educated,  and 
only  open  10  them  to  enter  the  hii^hest  grades.  Let 
mothers  be  more  interested  and  impart  to  their  chil- 
dren a  large  portion  of  their  knowledge.  Relieve  the 
teacher  of  the  responsibility  of  teaching  ihe  alphabet, 
as  great  patience  is  required  in  so  doing,  and  few 
teachers  have  an  extra  amount  of  patience. 

Children  are  careful  observers  and  an  error  of  the 
teacher  may  cause  years  of  annoyance  to  those  re- 
sponsible in  a  parental  way. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  to  maoy  teicfi«rs 
of  the  Peculiar  people,  for  their  untiring  effort  in  try- 
ing to  develop  the  best  citizen?,  but  they  are  power- 
less to  do  the  work  of  mothers  and  do  justice  to  them- 
selves. 

The  women  of  the  Peculiar  people  have  many  ob- 
stacles to  surmount  in  order  to  make  grood  mothers 
and  good  wives.  They  are  the  hardest  worked  wo- 
men, on  the  whole,  in  this  broad  land.  They  are  no6 
always  held  in  the  proper  estimation  and  treated  with 
the  same  consideration,  by  the  men  who  take  them 
to  brighten  life's  pathway,  and  to  make  life  worth 
living. 

If  these  women  are  to%e  up-to-date  mothers,  with 
the  best  children,  they  mtisl  be  treated  as  queens  in 
their  homes  and  not  as  the  scullions. 

Let  the  husband  feel  that  the  wife  and  mother  in 
his  home  is  as  important  as  the  w  ife  and  mother  in 
h'\s  neighbor's  home.  How  can  some  mothers,  among 
the  Peculiar  people,  rise  to  that  noble  plain  which 
distinguishes  the  true  womanly  mother?  The  time 
which  shoald    be  devoted    to   hom«  and  family 


52 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


is  all  taken  in  doing  the  work  of  other  people;  until, 
weary  and  fatigued,  they  succumb  to  the  demand  of 
nature,  evincing  no  interest  in  their  home. 

A  woman  cannot  do  her  duty  to  her  children  and 
home  if  she  is  required  to  do  the  work  of  a  man. 
As  a  rule  the  men  of  the  Peculiar  people  have  to 
learn  the  importance  ofbeingat  the  head  of  a  family. 
They  are  gradually  showing  their  manhood  along  all 
the  avenues  of  life,  and  the  day  is  not  distant  when 
they  will  point  with  pride  to  their  homes  and  say 
*'Behold  the  coming  citizens/' 


Taken  Oct.  ko;. 

WM,  CALVIN  CHASE,  JR. 


EXCERPTS  AND  COMMENTS.  53 


DIVISION  XII. 
Excerpts  and  Comments. 

•'News  of  Interest  to  Afro-Americans." 

The  above  heading  may  be  seen  in  most  nev;s-pa- 
pers  owned  and  controlled  by  people  who  say  that 
their  papers  are  Negro  Journals,  published  in  the 
interest  of  Negroes. 

All  the  news  under  the  above  head  is  prepared  by 
enterprising  firms,  composed  of  the  fairest  citizens 
and  sold  to  men,  styled  Negroes,  that  they  may  pub- 
lish the  same. 

"The  Freeman, an  Illustrated  Colored  Newspaper." 
Well,  just  surmise  the  appearance  of  news  being  illus- 
trated on  colored  paper. 

"Read  The  Defender,  It  is  American  in  all  Things. 
The  Brightest  and  Bravest  Exponent  of  the  People." 
Three  words  less  than  a  score  and  yet  in  the  few 
words  a  volume  is  embodied. 

One  edition  of  a  newspaper  "Published  every  Sat- 
urday in  the  interest  of  the  Negro  race"  asked  its 
readers  to  pay  all  subscriptions  so  that  it  may  make 
temporary  addition  more  permanent.  The  following 
is  the  head  of  the  addition  "SUPPLEMENT.''  All 
Supplements  are  owned  and  controlled  by  fair  citi- 
zens. Where  does  the  Negro  part  come  in? 

The  following  clippings  explain  ;themselves  and 
comment  is  unnecessary:- 

There  are  many  writers  and  theorists  ' 
who  have  grown  gray  trying  to  solve 
the  Negro  question.    Meanwhile  the 
Negro  is  progressing,-  right  along,  thus 


54 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


solving  his  own  problem.  No  doubt 
some  day  these  philanthropic  people 
will  discover  that  they  have  only  wast- 
ed their  lime,  as  there  is  no  Negro 
question. 

The  Negro  must  learn  to  be  an  inde- 
pendent voter.  He  must  learn  to  do 
that  which  will  bring  to  him  the  great- 
est honor  and  greatest  good  results. 
It  is  no  shame  or  dtejracc  for  the  white 
man  to  show  hii  independence;  why 
is  it  one  for  the  Nt;gro?  It  is  not.  and 
the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  Ne- 
gro will  consult  his  own  interest  before 
casting  his  ballot. —  The  Columbus 
Standard. 

Elijah  III  wai  condemning  strongly 
theSt.  Louis  people  for  their  treatment 
of  the  Negroes  at  the  world's  fair  when 
he  made  this  statement  that  the  color 
liae  should  not  be  drawn  even  in  mar- 
riage. Dr.  Dowie  has  previously  hint- 
ed at  his  views  of  intermarriage,  but 
was  never  so  positive  in  his  assertions 
acaintft  the  drawing  of  the  color  line 
in  marriage  as  today. 

'*If  one  God  hath  created  us  are  we 
not  all  of  the  race  of  Adam  instead  of 
being  whites,  blacks,  or  people  of  oth- 
er colors?"  he  asked.   "There  should 


EXCERPTS  AND  COMMENTS. 


55 


be  no  racial  distinction.  What  we 
want  is  to  go  back  to  primative  man.** 
In  closing  his  remarks  on  the  race 
problem,  Dowie  predicted  that  the 
blacks  in  the  South  would  soon  pre- 
dominate unless  the  abuse  of  the  col- 
ored people  ceased. 

THE  COLORED  PRESS. 

The  colored  press  shapes  and  molds 
public  sentiment  in  the  Negroe's  be- 
half and  every  family  should  consider 
it  indispensible.  Better  do  without 
some  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  than  be 
without  a  colored  paper. 

It  is  paving  the  way  for  the  future  of 
our  race. 

We  should  support  a  colored  paper 
in  order  that  the  good  deeds  of  our 
race  may  be  published,  that  our  girls 
and  boys  may  have  first-class  employ- 
ment. We  believe  in  the  doctrinethat 
••God  helps  those  alone  who  help  them- 
selves." We  believe  that  so  long  as 
the  color  of  a  man's  skin  prevents  his 
getting  employment  in  white  print 
shops,  leading  colored  p«ople  should 
spend  their  money  with  Negro  shops 
which  will  give  colored  men  and  wo- 
men of  character  and  ability  employ- 
ment on  the'r  merit.    We  must  try  to 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


help  ourselves  as  we  see  the  white 
man  doing.— T/ie  Hornet. 

THE  SUPREME  COURT  AND  THE 
NEGRO. 

The  expected  has  happened.  The 
case  involving  the  constitutionality  of 
the  nevi^  Constitution  of  Virginia* 
which  was  brought  before  the  Supreme 
Court  by  the  Negroes  of  thatState,  has 
been  passed  upon  by  the  court.  The 
result  was  in  line  with  a  long  list  of 
precedents  extending  down  to  us  from 
the  infamous  Dred  Scott  decision.  The 
United  S!:ates  Supreme  Court  has  al- 
ways either  decided  openly  against  the 
Negro  in  this  country  or  avoided  the 
contentions  of  colored  people  by  most 
artful  dodges  behind  hairsplitting  tech- 
nicalilies.  So  with  this  Virginia  case. 
No  relief  was  granted;  the  decision  be- 
ing that  relief  could  not  be  granted  on 
matters  which  were  past.  The  fact  that 
the  same  Constitution  which  prohibit- 
ed black  men  from  voting  in  the  past 
still  existed,  and  that  relief  was  sought 
from  future  injustices  under  the  same 
instrument  was  ignored.  Nearly  all  of 
the  Supreme  Court  justices  are  North- 
ern republicans. —  The  Voice  of  the  Ne- 
gro. 


EXCERPTS  AND  COMMENTS.  5t 


THE  PRESS, 
**It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the 
press  is  the  only  great  org-anized  fotce 
which  is  actively  as  a  body  upholding 
the  standard  of  civil  righteousness. 
There  are  nif-.n^'^  political  reformers 
among  the  clergy,  but  the  pulpit  as  an 
institution  is  concerned  with  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  not  with  the  public  ef 
Amei  ica.  There  are  many  public  spir- 
ited lawyers,  but  the  bar  as  a  profes- 
sion works  for  its  retainers,  and  no 
law-defying  trust  ever  came  to  grief 
from  a  death  of  legal  talent  to  serve  it. 
Physicians  v/ork  for  their  patients  and 
architects  for  their  patrons.  The  press 
alone  makes  public  interest  its  own. 
What  is  everybody's  business  is  no- 
body's business — except  the  Journal- 
ist's;it  is  his  by  adoption.  But  for  his 
care  almost  every  reform  would  fall 
stillborn.  He  holds  officials  to  their  du- 
ty. He  exposes  secret  schemes  of 
plunder.  He  promotes  every  hopeful 
plan  of  progress.  Without  him  public 
opinion  would  be  shapeless  and  dumb. 
He  brings  all  classes,  all  professions 
together,  and  teaches  them  to  act  in 
concert  on  the  basis  of  their  common 
citizenship, 

•'Our  republic  and  its  press  A'ill  rise 
or  fall  together.    An  able  disinterest- 


58 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE 


ed,  public-spirited  press,  with  trained 
intelligence  to  know  the  right  and  cour- 
age to  do  it,  can  prv^serve  that  public 
virtue  without  which  popular  govern- 
ment is  a  sham  and  mockery.  A  cyn- 
ical, mercenary,  demagogic  press  will 
produce  in  ti.i  e  a  people  as  base  as  it- 
self. The  power  to  mold  the  furure  of 
the  republic  will  be  in  the  hands  of  the 
journalists  of  future  generations." 
—  N'e w  Yo rk  Trib tine. 


SU3,IMARY. 


59 


The  oneness  of  principle  which  was  so  apparent  in 
those  who  attempted  to  make  connection  between 
heaven  and  earth,  by  means  of  a  tovver,  is  developing 
more  and  more  each  day.  The  Peculiar  people  are 
either  absorling  or  are  being  absorbed.  This  nation 
is  slowly,  but  surely,  falling  in  line  with  all  other  na- 
tionalities by  outliving  all  lines  of  differences.  C§ste 
and  proscription  are  now  engaged  in  the  last  battle 
with  right  and  justice  and  like  the  monster  death  are 
all  but  dethroned. 

The  combining  and  uniting  of  the  people  of  the 
earth  is  more  in  evidence  each  day.  The  language 
of  one  naticnality  is  known  to  many  others  and  no 
great  surprise  is  caused  by  a  man  speaking  many 
languages.    It  seems  perfecily  natural. 

Seventy  yesrs  ago  ihere  wci  e  many  sections  cf  the 
globe  unknown  to  civilized  man;  but  to-day  civiliza  - 
tion has  gone  into  the  most  remote  regions  and  suc- 
ceeded in  making  researches  in  the  interests  of  sci- 
ence and  in  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  the 
Creator.  The  most  perplexing  discovery  that  re- 
mains to  be  made  now  is  that  of  the  exact  position  of 
the  north  pole. 

We  are  told  that  there  is  net  anything  new  under 
the  sun  so  no  time  need  be  lost  in  looking  for  some- 
thing which  is  hew,  we  need  only  seek  for  the  locality 
of  an  object. 

By  the  time  the  noith  pole  has  been  found  the  Pe- 
culiar people  will  have  been  so  shifted  around  and  a- 
bout  by  the  unseen  power  as  to  occupy  their  exact 


6o  A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


station  as  American  citizens  and  will  have  accorded 
to  them  all  the  honor  which  is  given  to  any  citizen  of 
the  United  States. 

Accepting,  as  divinely  true,  the  Biblical  statement 
5 hat  "The  first  shail  be  last  and  the  last  first"  the  Pe- 
culiar people  have  much  to  expect;  they  wiil  soon  feel 
and  enjoy  the  full  meaning  of  the  expression. 

They  will  be  the  last  to  erjoy  ihefuli  benefits  of  all 
the  privileges  given  by  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States.  The  descendants  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers 
have  reaped  the  nrsL  fruits  of  the  land  and  the  descend- 
ants of  American  shivery  are  being  guided  into  the 
position  to  enjoy  all  the  fruits  which  are  to  come. 

Race,  race  is  what  is  heard  coming  fiom  so  many 
persons.  Crowds  rush  to  see  the  boat  race;  women  of 
wealth  and  culture  speculate  at  the  horse  race;  men 
rush  to  their  death  in  the  automobile  race  and  (he 
small  boy  in  his  tattered  garments  is  quite  content 
to  peep  through  a  crevice  in  a  fence  to  get  a  glimpse 
of  the  foot  or  bicycle  race. 

People  are  people  and  may  differ  in  many  ways  and 
looks  but  all  people  belong  to  the  one  race  of  man- 
kind created  by  God.  All  nations  go  to  make  the  one 
great  family  of  mankind. 

One  of  the  best  illustrations  of  the  relation  among 
the  people,  of  the  human  family,  is  the  swine.  He  is 
divided  into  many  parts  as  articles  of  food;  in  fact 
nearly  all  of  the  animal  is  csed  as  food  ?  nd  yet  the  ori- 
gin of  ham,  shoulder  or  bacon  is  found  in  the  com- 
mon hog.  The  name  given  to  the  different  parts  does 
not  change  the  fact  that  the  father  of  a'l  those  parts 
is  the  hog. 


SUMPvIARY. 


6i 


After  God  had  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth 
and  all  there  in  {ind  there  on,  man  was  created.  The 
one  man,  Adam,  was  father  of  ihe  entire  human  race, 
and  while  it  is  true  Eve  was  given  as  a  wife  to  Adam, 
he  was  really  the  father  of  his  companion.  The  be- 
ginning of  all  mankind  is  tractd  back  to  Adam. 

That  only  one  national  government  can  exist  in  the 
United  States  at  the  same  time  is  clear  to  any  intelli- 
gent mind,  but  there  is  no  law  to  fix  the  complexion 
of  the  people  who  are  citizens. 

Color  and  race  are  not  synonymous  and  when  the 
wrong  interpretation  is  given  either  term  the  results 
are  not  the  most  pleasant. 

As  all  citizens  are  somewhat  colored,  some  more 
than  others  and  an  affirms  live  reply  is  correct  to  the 
question  "Are  all  men  colored?" 

Many  citizens  of  the  United  States,  living  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  government,  to  the  extent  of  receiving 
good  salaries  for  their  services,  insist  that  they  are 
Negroes  and  demand  recognition  on  the  statement 
that  they  are  Negroes;  they  take  pride  in  having  oth- 
ers, living  under  the  same  flag  and  constitution,  refer 
to  all  dark-skinned  citizens  as  Negroes. 

Yet  the  very  instant  one  of  the  fairest  citizens  sug- 
gests the  propriety  of  all  the  people  who  claim  to  be 
Negroes  riding  in  separate  cars,  sitting  on  back  seats 
in  places  of  amusements,  eating  behind  a  screen  at  an 
inn  there  is  general  dissatisfaction. 

Can  a  better  name  than  Peculiar  people  be  applied 
to  the  descendants  of  the  American  slaves?  All  the 
other  citizens  of  this  republic  are  moving  onward 
toward  the  much  coveted  prize,  human  rights.  The 


62 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


spirit  of  ciny  who  boldly  assert  tliat  ail  they  have, say 
or  dojs  in  the  irterest  of  a  certain  few,  is  a  very  uar- 
row  oae  and  does  not  reflect  credit  on  the  possessor. 

Books  and  in  fact  allliteralnre  is  intended  to  elevate 
the  reader.  Mere  curiosity  wili  hardly  cause  an  indi- 
vidual to  peruse  one  page  of  a  paper  if  the  name  of 
it  is  repulsive. 

Let  all  nnmes  not  strictly  in  keeping  with  the  spir- 
it of  freedom  be  abolished. 

The  folly  of  appealing  to  every  national  body  of 
mep.,  who  meet  to  consider  plans  for  the  g^r  neral  »-ood 
of  all  citizens?  for  an  expression  of  some  kind  relative 
to  the  Peculiar  people,  will  some  day  be  manifested. 
Men  may  not  longer  expect  to  enter  the  political  are- 
na by  the  color  of  their  skin,  but  rather  on  their  mer- 
it as  citizens. 

Many  of  the  fairest  citizens  are  turned  down  on  ac- 
count of  incompetency  to  fill  positions  of  honor  and 
trust. 

Special  legislation  for  some  becau?e  ?heir  fore-fath- 
ers were  slaves  means  special  legislation  for  ethers 
because  their  fore-fathers  were  slave  owners  and  lost 
all  their  slaves  at  the  close  of  the  rebellion.  Spe- 
cial legislation  has  been  the  cause  of  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  hideous  monster,  jim-crow. 

There  is  no  more  need  for  the  separate  car  law  now 
than  there  was  thirty  years  ago.  There  may  be  cer- 
tain modes  of  transportation  tolerated  in  this  life,  but 
one  thing  is  sure,  all  are  placed  on  one  common  level 
in  the  plan  of  redemption. 

A  demand  for  men  who  have  the  courage  to  prop- 
erly interpret  and  administer  the  laws  of  the  land  is, 


SUMMARY. 


63 


of  the  most  importance.  The  Peculiar  pecple  are 
good  judges  of  good  men  and  must  exercise  that  judg- 
ment in  selecting  men  to  lule. 

The  sentimental  day  of  public  affairs  is  a  thing  of 
the  past,  and  any  who  stop  to  complain  that  they  are 
ignored  on  pccor.nt  of  their  color  will  not  retard  the 
progress  of  the  American  people,  but  will  find  them- 
selves no  nearer  the  enjoyment  of  corapletei;citizen- 
ship  a  hundred  yewrs  hence  than  they  are  to-day. 

The  Peculiar  people  do  not  h  ;Ip  themselves  by  go- 
ing to  other  countries  with  their  complaints.  All  of 
their  troubles  arise  on  the  Avtierican  soil  and  must 
be  adjusted  on  Ameiican  soil  by  Americans. 

Sympathy  may  be  very  much  in  place  at  a  certain 
time,  but  as  the  United  States  is  not  subject  to  any  oth- 
er nat'onality  there  is  no  need  for  the  outside  to  be 
called  upon  to  express  their  feeiirgs  in  regard  to 
any  set  of  citizens. 

Respect  for  the  individual  who  carries  his  private 
affairs  to  his  neighbor  is  lowered  and  the  same  is 
true  of  any  of  the  members  of  the  national  family. 

All  national  powers  regard  the  United  States  as  be- 
ing well  developed  and  competent  to  care  for  all  who 
are  its  citizens. 

The  same  pride  that  actuates  and  accents  the  acts 
and  expressions  of  the  fairest  citizens  must  control 
the  Peculiar  people;  then  there  will  be  more  harmony 
in  the  land. 

An  utter  disregard  for  many  insults  and  wrongs 
is  necessary  in  order  to  accomplish  the  desired  re- 
sults. The  Lord,  while  on  this  earth,  suffered  Him- 
self to  be  insulted,  in  order  to  triumph  and  becoiKe 


64 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


Master  of  all  the  earth;  if  He  could  leave  His  heav- 
enly home  and  endure  much  huniillatlon  from  his  infe- 
riors, can  not  the  Peculiar  people  wait  all  their  ap- 
pointed time  with  less  murmuring? 

All  men  who  have  taken  upon  themselves  the  le- 
sponsibility  of  preaching  and  calling  upon  the  people 
to  repent  of  their  f^ins,  are  accountable  for  much. 
The  preacher  who  stands  before  the  Peculiar  people 
must  advise  endurance  and  all  other  preachers  must 
dwell  on  the  following:-  "How  can  a  man  love  God 
whom  he  hath  not  seen  and  hate  his  brother  whom 
he  hath  seen?  Such  a  man  is  a  liar  and  the  truth  is 
not  in  him/' 

The  man  who  occupies  a  pulpit  in  a  house  dedicat- 
ed to  the  worship  of  God,  the  doors  of  which  areshut 
in  the  face  of  men,  because  of  their  complexion,  must 
preach  a  false  doctrine,  and  God  have  mercy  on  those 
who  claim  to  be  saved  behind  such  doors. 

The  medium  throu2:h  which  a  fair  skinned  citizen 
is  saved  is  identically  the  same  as  that  through  which 
the  dark  skinned  one  is  required  to  pass. 

That  the  Peculiar  people  are  good  church  workers, 
is  shown  by  the  costly  structures,  towering  heaven- 
ward, all  over  the  American  land. 

This  is  no  strange  land  for  these  people  and  there 
is  no  need  for  them  to  hang  their  harps  upon  a  willow 
tree. 

Join  the  happy  chorus  and  sing  the  Lord's  song  at 
morning  and  again  at  evening. 

I  know  no  land  of  all  the  earth 

So  dear,  so  beautiful  and  grand 
As  the  one  to  which  I  owe  my  birth; 
This  lovely  American  land. 


SUMMARY. 


65 


All  the  text  books  ar®  so  arrsnged  as  to  tducattt 
the  minds  along  the  things  which  will  make  the  best 
citizens.  The  childreu  of  dark  complexion  receive 
instructions  from  the  same  kinds  of  books  used  for 
all  other  children  and  should  therefore  be  taught  to 
honor  £.11  national  songs  and  emblems. 

The  homes,  apparel  and  deportment  of  many,  yti 
most,  of  the  Peculiar  people  are  models  and  are  ex- 
act copies  of  the  best  citizens. 

The  fairest  citizens  have  always  had  the  good  things 
«f  the  land,  so  there  is  nothing  for  them  to  do  except 
admire  the  advancement  m&d®  by  their  darker  bro- 
thers. 

Social  affairs  will  continue  to  regulate  a  standards 
No  man  of  She  Peculiar  people  will  force  his  atttn- 
tion  on  a  woman  of  the  fairest  skin  unless  he  receSv^s 
some  inducement.  There  sire  brutes,  In  the  shape  ®f 
men,  of  all  complexions,  but  they  are  not  men, 

Be  it  said  to  the  credit  of  the  Peculiar  people,  ther«t 
are  many  fair  skinned  citizens  who  consider  the  qual- 
ifications of  men  and  wosren  of  more  importance  than 
the  color  of  the  skin. 

**01d  things  have  been  dons  away  with  and  all 
things  have  become  new."  Party  affiliations  are  not 
as  they  once  were,  because  men  of  to-day  are  not  ae 
men  used  to  be.  In  the  land  of  the  free,  nothing  is 
now  absolutely  more  free  than  actions  and  speech. 

The  executive  head  looks  cut  forth®  best  interest! 
of  himself  and  those  about  him;  the  humble  citizgQ 
must  do  the  same. 

In  union  there  is  strength  and  for  this  reasoa  ther« 
has  been  a  union  of  the  blue  and  gray,  the  very 


66,  A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


thought  of  which  a  few  years  ago  entered  not  in  the 
heart  of  any.  Unless  the  Peculiar  people  come  in  as 
common  brothers  the  union  will  eveatually  be  com- 
posed  of  all  the  fairest  citizens,  to  the  utter  exclusion 
of  the  dark  ones.  Such  a  union  will  the  union  be, 
when  the  union  of  the  fairest  is  complete.. 

The  Peculiar  people  have  little  else  to  do  except  to 
comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  laws  of  their 
country.  All  who  are  familiar  with  the  reasons  which 
made  the  fore-fathers  leave  their  mother  country  and 
how  the  settlers  treated  the  Indians,  will  not  be  sur-  . 
prised  at  the  treatment  given  the  Peculiar  people. 

The  Peculiar  people  should  also  hold  Holland  ac- 
countable for  their  present  condition  as  the  Dutch- 
traders  introduced  slavery  in  the  new  country.  The 
right  way  however  is  to  make  the  best  of  the  situation, 
as  the  hand  of  the  Great  King  is  guiding  the  ship. 

There  are  membe»-s  of  the  republican  party  saying  , 
that  it  is  best  to  drop  the  Peculiar  people  out  of  poli- 
tics and  have  "A  white  man's  party."  The  democrat- 
ic party  has  not  been  receiving  support  from  the  Pecu- 
liar people  hence  it  asks  no  favors,  but  will  count  ev- 
ery vote  in  its  favor,  no  matter  by  whom  it  is  casted. 

There  is  only  obe  thing  for  the  Peculiar  people  to  do 
and  that  is  to  be  truly  American  in  every  sense  of  the 
word;when  this  po3ition Js  assumed  khe  respect  of  the 
other  citizens  will  be  assured. 

The  fairest  republicans  of  the  North  express  such 
ientiments  as  are  best  suited  to  that  section,  but 
many  of  them  who  chance  to  go  South  to  live,  lose  n© 
time  in  adopting  the  policy  of  the  South. 

They  g®!  thi*  correct  pulsation  of  alfAirs,  political 


SUMMARY. 


67 


and  otherwise,  and  are  prepared  to  fall  in  lino  at  the 
shortest  notice. 

The  dark-skinned  republicans  of  the  Ncrth  willingly 
advise  their  dark  brothers  in  the  South  what  %o  do 
and  what  not  to  do.  The  one  in  the  North  knowi 
nothing  of  southern  affairs  except  what  is  conveyed 
to  him. 

Circumstances  may  cause  an  adviser  living  in  the 
Nwrth  to  move  South,  and  he  begins  to  grow  clammy 
as  soon  as  he  crosses  the  dividing  line  and  before 
beinj:  'troduced  to  the  South  as  champion  of  human 
ights,  his  power  of  speech  is  lost.  What  a  changed 
person. 

No  aU'^mpt  is  made  to  do  the  things  formerly  done 
in  the  North,  nor  is  any  advice  given  to  the  southern 

people. 

Citizens  may  not  receive  the  protection  guaran- 
teed iis  the  constitution,  but  such  a  failure  will  Hot 
justify  n  gligence  on  the  part  of  any. 

The  memory  of  the  conlcderacy  is  perpetuated, 
amd  kept  fresh  in  the  minds  of  the  people  through 
the  Annual  Grand  Camps.  Notwithstanding  this, 
the  CO  isiitution  of  the  U  nted  States  protects  these 
same  ^  ople,  because  they  are  citizens.  The  num- 
ber of  new  camps  added  to  the  original  number  ie 
nineteen  hundred  and  four  increased  the  whole  te 
one  hundred  and  twenty-one. 

The  Grand  Army  Republic  honors  the  South  for 
what  it  has  done  to  the  extent  of  having  had  one  of 
its  commanders  extend  an  invitation  to  the  grand 
commander  of  the  seventh  annual  session  of  the 
Grand  Camp,  Cenfederate  Veterans,  Department  of 


68 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


VirgiaU»  and  thla  is  the  reply  to  the  invitation:-  •*  I 
dscliist  this  invitation  in  the  most  courteous  termi, 
mmd  8tit«  my  reasons  for  doing  so.  SummariieiS, 
tk€s$  rsasons  %Ttr«  substantially  that  the  speaker  still 
loved  tli«  memories  and  principles  of  the  confedermt* 
struggle, and  while  he  had  loyally  and  in  good  faith  ac- 
cepted the  results  of  the  war  he  was  as  fully  convinced 
now,  as  in  iS6i,  that  the  cause  was  a  righteous  one; 
and  he  couldj  therefore,  never  willingly  join  with 
th»8«  who  meet,  to  rdoice  that  we  did  not  succeed  in 
that  struggle. 

That  in  these  war  celebs-ations  it  seemad  to  me  that 
thsre  was  no  common  or  congenial  ground  on  which 
the  soldiers  of  these  two  armies  could  stand,  that  in 
these  meetings  we  saw  things  from  opposite  points 
of  view,  and  hence  the  recitals  which  would  make 
Bi«  sad,  and  vice  versa. 

The  above  preves  conclusively  that  m^n  may 
adhere  to  their  own  convictions  and  still  be  respected 
as  citisens. 

just  think  of  the  North  at  one  time  assuming  to  dic- 
tate to  the  South  and  aft-isrvvards  making  all  kinds  of 
overtures  to  the  South. 

If  confederates  are  invited  to  join  the  Grand  Army 
•f  the  Republic  in  its  celebralions,  the  Peculiar  people 
ought  at  least  be  allowed  to  be  silent  or  join  hands 
with  any  citizens  when  such  actions  are  for  the  good 
of  those  concerned. 

The  cry  is  ascending  that  the  Peculiar  people  are 
not  protected  in  the  South. 

These  people  will  never  be  protected  in  the  South 
unlssi  they  do  as  al!  southerners  do,  and  when  they 


SUMMARY. 


69 


prove  their  friendship  for  those  with  whom  they  live 
and  upon  whom  they  depend  for  a  Hying,  they  will 
be  protected. 

The  North  has  done  and  is  doing  every  thing  to  be 
on  good  terms  with  the  South. 

The  Peculiar  people  living  South  cannot  serve 
two  masters  at  the  same  time;  they  must  love  the  one 
who  administers  to  their  daily  needs  while  the  other 
remains  at  a  given  distanee  and  says  he  would  do 
more,  but  is  powerless. 

In  a  Semi  Centennial  Anniversary,  of  the  repub- 
lican party  the  presiding  c  fficer  recalls  the  history  ol 
the  party  and  makes  mention  of  the  Party'i  achieve- 
r nts  as  follows:- 

"  Fifiy  years  ago  we  were  confronted  here  at  Sara- 
toga by  an  enactment  threatening  our  national  exist- 
ence. That  was  the  Nebraska  bill,  abrogating  the 
Missouri  compromise.  We  iaw  that  our  cherished 
constitutional  rights  anc  liberties  were  about  slip- 
ping from  our  grasp.  We  saw  that  our  republican 
form  of  government  was  in  danger  of  being  changed 
to  an  ol  gai  cy,  and  if  we  wanted  to  contmuea  repub- 
lic, we  '<ad  o  unite  in  foriBing  a  parly  to  maintain  and 
defend  ii.  We  knew  that  such  a  party  would  have  a 
long  and  arduous  struggle  before  it,  that  it  would 
encounter  storms,  dangers  and  difficulties  that  could 
not  be  foreseen.  But  we  knew  also  that  it  was  the 
©nlv  w?iA  to  ave  the  nation's  life,  ^ad  so  we  took 
the  risk.  1  Lie  new  party  wa*  born,  born  an  infant, 
but  destined  to  grow  to  b  i  agiant. 

The  republican  party  entered  upon  its  career  of  fif- 
ty years.    It  led  the  way  in  emancipating  the  slaves, 


70 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


in  defending  the  flag,  in  maintaining  the  Union,  and 
in  restoring  national  peace  and  prosperity.  In 
all  that  good  work  it  had  the  co-operation  of  patri- 
©tic  and  loyal  democrats. 

Now  in  later  >ears  it  has  dealt  with  the  controver- 
sy over  silver  and  ^old;  gold  has  given  us  the  gold 
standard  and  the  best  currency  in  the  world.  It  has 
given  us  a  tariff  which,  if  not  perfect,  is  nevertheless 
better  than  ever  before  devised,  one  that  has  raised 
the  wages  of  the  workingman  and  encouraged  the 
enterprises  of  the  farmer,  the  merchant  and  the 
manufacturer.  It  has  watched  the  struggle  between 
capital  and  labor  protecting  each  in  its  rights  and 
oppcrtunit'es,  forbidding  either  to  oppress  the  other, 
and  reminding  both  that  they  should  be  partners,  not 
enemies  In  the  march  of  American  progress.  It  has 
expanded  the  national  domain  and  increased  the  na- 
tional prestige  and  power.  It  has  delivered  the 
Spanish  colonies  from  their  oppressors,  given  inde- 
pendence to  Cuba,  and  helped  all  the  others  on- 
ward toward  peace  and  self-government. 

In  short,  we  find  that  the  republican  party  has  been 
what  its  name  implies.  It  is  the  party  of  the  repub- 
lic itself 

In  the  above  quotation  it  is  admitted  iftiat  the  re- 
publican party  had  the  co-operation  ©f  loyal  demo- 
crats. 

All  political  factions  place  a  premium  on  American 
citizensh  p,  and  the  Peculiar  people  must  not  only 
look  out  for  themselves,  but  associate  and  assimilate 
with  those  about  them. 

Chie's  welcome  may  be  worn  out  in  the  house  of  his 


SUMMARY. 


71 


friend. 

Yes,  the  ssntimental  day,  so  far  as  the  Peculiar 
people  are  concerned,  has  become  a  by-gone  day  and 
each  act  performed  by  the  very  highest  official  pow- 
ers emphasizes  the  fact.  The  Supreme  Court  can 
only  deal  with  men,  living  under  the  protection  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  as  citizens, 
and  not  as  white  and  colored  men. 

The  men  in  the  front  rank  of  the  republican  party 
and  all  other  parties  know  that  the  further  devtlop- 
ment  of  the  United  States  of  America  depends  upon 
the  united  effort  of  the  citizens. 

When  a  man  is  elected  and  inaugurated  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  that  man  is  President  of 
all  the  people,  no  matter  by  what  party  he  is  elect- 
ed nor  by  whom  he  is  opposed.  The  duty  of  the 
man  so  installed  is  to  cement  the  people  and  increase 
harmony  where  discord  reigns. 

All  the  men  of  the  other  parties  ar«  not  bad  be- 
cause a  few  give  vent  to  expressions  unmanly  and 
selfish.  The  Peculiar  people  do  not  wish  to  be 
jur'ged  by  the  bad  acts  of  some  of  the  dark  skinned 
citizens;  nor  should  all  the  people  living  in  the  South 
be  condemned  because  some  of  the  fair  skinned  ones 
are  heartless  and  brutal. 

It  is  not  because  the  writer  Is  a  Virginian  by  birth 
that  she  has  words  of  commendation  for  the  South, 
but  she  knows  well  that  in  thai  section  are  some  of 
the  best  friends  of  the  Peculiar  people.  If  the  entire 
South  w^ere  opposed  to  the  dark  skinned  citizens 
would  there  be  dotted  all  over  that  section  schools 
for  the  instruction  rf  the  ignorant? 


72 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


Why  is  it  so  many  of  the  accomplished  educators, 
at  every  opporiunity,  assemble  in  the  ^^outhland? 
One  reason  is,  tkat  in  the  South  the  people  are  hos- 
pitable and  the  schools  are  good. 

There  are  men  in  authority  considered  to  be  the 
best  friends  of  the  dark  skinned  people, who  are  as  bit- 
ter enemies  as  the  southern  Tillman  or  Graves,  but 
they  manage  to  conceal  iheir  enmity  until  something 
unexpected  happens. 

An  illustration  of  the  bitter  spirit  in  the  North  a- 
gainst  the  dark  skinned  peeple  was  given  when  the 
son  of  General  Ulysses  S.  Gra^it  recommended  that 
a  fair  skinned  man,  serving  under  him,  be  dismi^^sed 
from  service  because  he  married  a  woman,  the  wo- 
man of  his  choice  and  the  woman  he  loved  sufficient- 
ly well  to  have  the  world  call  his  wife,  and  a  descend- 
»nt  of  American  slavery. 

The  friends  of  the  descendants  of  American  slav- 
ery are  legions  and  the  enemies  are  scattered  all  over 
the  American  land. 

The  executive  head  sets  an  example,  for  cultivat- 
ing the  fiiend*hip  of  the  southern  people,  and  why 
should  not  the  Peculiar  people  follow. 

In  ar.other  division  of  this  book  the  author  says 
that  the  North  does  every  thing  possible  to  please 
the  South,  and  it  may  be  said  also  that  the  republi- 
can party  is  willing  to  do  many  things  to  better  the 
conditions  of  the  citizens  in  all  the  southern  section. 

The  followino^  bit  of  information  proves  the  truth 
of  ttie  statement  that  there  is  a  union  springing  up 
between  the  North  and  the  South,  the  blue  and  the 
gray;  a  union  between  the  fairest  citizens  of  all  sec- 


SUMMARY 


73 


tioiis  and  if  the  d,irk  skianed  cilizens  do  their  duty 
they  will  not  perniii  tliemselvci  to  be  influenced  by 
any  power  detrimental  to  Uielr  own  interests. 

"  Mrs.  James  L.ong,"stfec£  is  t!ie  widoA'and  was  the 
second  wife  of  (General  James  Longstreet,  of  confed- 
erate fame.  The  President  and  Postmaster  General 
Wynne  decided  upon  the  removal  of  Colonel  Henry 
P.  Farrow,  the  postm«Aster  at  Gainesville,  and  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mrs.  Longstreet.  A  post  office  inspect- 
or who  recently  went  to  Gainesville  to  investigate  a 
complaint  that  Colonel  Farrow  was  not  a  citizen  of 
that  place,  but  lived  in  another  county,  reported  that 
the  charges  were  true,  Colonel  Farrow  being  a  resi- 
dent of  Lumpkin  county,  Ga.  Colonel  Farrow  has 
been  a  lifelong  republican  in  Georgia,  and  has  been 
postmaster  at  Gainesville  for  six  or  seven  years. 

There  has  been  some  question  as  to  the  citizen- 
ship ©f  Mrs.  Longstreet  in  Gainesville,  but  thert-  is 
thought  to  be  no  doubt  of  that.  General  Longstreet 
lived  there  after  the  civil  war.  She  is  about  thirty- 
five  years  old,  and  at  the  time  of  her  marriage  to  the 
confederate  general  she  was  editor  and  owner  of  a 
Georgia  paper.  She  is  a  bright,  attractive  woman,  ful- 
ly qualified  for  the  position.  It  is  possible,  howev- 
er, that  th«  Georgia  republican  machine,  of  which- 
Colonel  Farrow  is  a  member  may  attempt  to  make  a 
fight  on  the  confirmation  of  the  appointment." 

Mothers  must  do  their  duty,  so  that  when  their 
children  grow  to  manhood  and  womanhood  they 
may  properly  construe,  and  if  necessary  execute,  all 
laws  pertaining  to  positions  they  may  fill. 

Th«  adfangf m«nt  mud^i  by  proporly  trtining  tho 


74 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


young  minds  to  aspire  to  grand  and  responsible  po- 
sitions is  more  and  more  observable  each  year. 

Many  of  the  older  people  are  willing  to  become  as 
children  in  order  to  have  their  stern  proclivities  re- 
modeled; they  feel  the  lack  of  such  training  as  the 
children  of  this  era  should  receive.  Mothers  of 
day  have  better  advantages,  in  all  respects,  than 
those  of  fifty  years  ago. 

In  some  way  a  child  may  have  its  back  broken;  or 
it  may  sustain  the  loss  of  a  hand  or  limb,  from  which 
mishap  he  becomes  deformed,  and  what  ii  the  re- 
sult? It  he  lives  to  become  a  centenarian,  he  is  an 
object  of  pity.  He  is  unable  to  cope  with  his  fellow 
citizens  in  life's ups  and  downs. 

It  is  then  important  to  protect  the  child  from  harm 
in  any  form  if  perfection  in  manhood  is  desired. 

It  is  also  of  importance  to  know  that  the  child  is 
not  crippled  nor  deformed  in  his  training,  for  .sfter 
reaching  the  age  of  manhood  he  may  not  only  be  an 
object  of  pity  but  an  object  to  be  avoided. 

Mothers  must  feel  the  importance  of  being  polite 
to  their  own  children.  Aa  expression  of  thanks  for 
a  glass  of  water  or  a  chair,  delivered  to  a  mother  at 
her  request,  will  niake  the  little  heart  expand  with 
untold  pride,  when  the  child  knows  of  its  abill"ty  to 
be  of  service  to  its  mother. 

Trust  not  a  child  to  fate,  feeling  that  all  omissions 
can  be  supplied  in  after  years. 

All  children,  of  the  Peculiar  people,  need  the 
watchful  attention  of  their  mothers  and  especially 
the  girls.  Without  nice  girls  all  hope  for  good 
mothers  will  bg  dead.    They  must  not  be  exposed, 


SUMMARY. 


75 


even  in  cases  of  severe  poverty.  While  young:  th«y 
are  thoijgiitiess  and  forget  that  their  every  move- 
ment and  expression  are  materials  in  the  foundation 
of  older  years. 

Sometimes  when  the  mother  is  the  only  meaas  of 
support,  the  father's  place  being  vacant,  girls  are 
seen  carrying  heavy  burdens  on  thtir  backs  or  heads. 
These  girls  are  often  insulted  and  humiliated  to  the 
extent  of  losing  much  of  their  girlish  pride. 

To  compel  a  girl  to  carry  parts  of  torn  down 
houses  to  an  humble  home  for  fire  wood  is  one  kind 
of  economy,  and  yet  it  is  often  over  balanced  by  a 
waste  of  food  on  the  part  of  a  car-^less  mother. 

A  thoughtful  mother  will  study  economy  in  all  her 
affairs  and  never  permit  her  girls  to  do  things  detri- 
ment:;!. 

A  father  is  not  perfect  and  will  often  be  found  on 
street  corners  discussing  topics  and  plans  of  no  use 
to  his  welfare,  and  his  wife  toiling  to  eke  out  an  ex- 
istence for  herself  and  children.  When  fathers  can- 
not get  employment  and  mothers  have  the  care  ©f 
the  family  resting  upon  them,  they  should  then,  if  at 
no  other  time,  object  to  the  girls  becoming  public 
carriers;  keep  the  girls  in  and  let  the  husbands  and 
fathers  go  out. 

Not  many  boys  of  the  fairest  citizens,  much  less 
their  girls,  are  *^o  be  seen  with  luggage  similar  to 
what  many  girlsof  dark  complexion  carry.  There  is  no 
real  assi  tance  given  a  father  by  exposing  his  chil- 
dren; better  let  him  have  an  opportunity  to  demon- 
strate his  fitness  for  the  position  of  his  own  selec- 
tion. 


76 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


One  peculiar  thing  aboat  the  darker  citizens  is  the 
inability  to  let  a  burden  rest  •n  the  proper  found  a - 
tion.  Sympathy  for  one  individual  leads  to  imposi- 
tion on  another. 

The  attention  of  all  the  people,  regardless  of  com- 
plexion, should  be  to  the  proper  training  of  the  young, 
in  order  that  the  hisjhest  types  of  American  ciiizens 
may  be  realized.  While  it  is  true  that  the  mothers 
of  dark  complexion  have  grave  responsibilities 
upon  them,  the  time  and  importance  of  the  age  de- 
mand that  all  mothers  look  after  those  in  their  keep- 
ing. 

Every  vestige  of  previous  condition  of  servitude 
is  disappearing  and  there  is  no  use  to  discuss  the 
rough  side  of  people.  The  bad  portion  of  the  dark 
skinned  people  are  simply  some  of  the  bad  citizens 
and  the  bad  fair  skinned  people,  and  they  are  le- 
gions, are  simply  bad  citizens.  Ev^^jry  nationality  on 
the  universe  has  its  quota  of  bad  members,  except 
those  who  escape  to  the  United  States. 

Perseverence  has  advanced  the  Peculiar  people  to 
their  present  position  and  has  overcome  the  many 
obstacles  which  have  tried  to  hinder  them.  They 
have  been  given  strength  to  bear  all  that  has  beea 
put  upon  them  and  will  according  to  their  faith 
continue  to  receive  aid  from  the  Divine  Hand. 

There  are  many  excellent  reasons  why  the  name 
"Peculiar"  is  so  well  adapted  to  all  who  in  any  way 
are  related  to  those  people  who  were  held  in  bond- 
age, in  the  early  history  of  the  United  States,  and 
one  is  because  these  citizen's  rights  and  opportuni- 
ties have  been,  and  are  y«t,  abridged.  The  best  reason 


SUMMARY. 


11 


for  styling  thern  "Peculiar"  is  that  they  are  equal  to 
the  requirements  of  law  and  will  make  as  good  citi- 
zens as  those  who  have  always  enjoyed  all  the  priv- 
ileges of  this  country  as  citizens. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  men  who  com- 
posed the  Circuit  Courts,  in  the  early  history  of  tht 
United  States,  never  dreamed  of  the  people  expand- 
ing and  becoming  as  intelligent  as  they  are  today. 

Such  was  beyond  their  conception  as  is  shown  by 
their  interpretation  of  the  word  "white". 

The  following  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the  New 
York  Sun:- 

"By  white  is  meant  Caucasian.  This  is  silly,  but 
ii  is  the  Circuit  Court  interpretation.  A  Mongo- 
lian is  not  a  Caucasian,  and  \s  therefore  not  a  wi^ite 
person.  Neither  is  a  Malay,  a  Hindoo,  an  Arab,  an 
Egyptian.  Under  the  term  white,  says  Judge  Saw- 
yer, is  included  only  the  Caucasian  race,  whatever 
that  may  mean,  and  the  Court  does  nofc  tell  us." 

All  definitions  are  the  results  of  individual  opin- 
ions and  a  man  is  not  an  ape  simply  because  anoth- 
er man  chooses  to  call  him  one. 

The  correct  definition  of  man  is  found  in  the  Bi- 
ble and  mothers  must  take  that  Book  as  their  guid« 
ia  training  their  children  to  be  good  citizens. 

The  author  of  this  work  is  a  mother  and  reserves 
the  rijiht  to  tell  her  childrt-n,  as  all  good  mothers  will 
do,  that  they  are  not  Negroes,  Afro-Americans  nor 
any  thing  less  than  Ameri  :an  citizens,  being  born  un- 
der the  Stars  and  Stripes  and  on  the  American  soil, 
and  in  tht  likeness  of  the  Creator. 

Under  a  constitution  which  knows  no  man  on  ae- 


A  PECULIAR  PEOPLE. 


count  of  previous  condition  of  servitude,  * 'All  per- 
sons born  in  the  allegiance  of  the  United  Statea  (ex- 
cept children  offoreiga  embassadors)  are  citizens. 
(U.  S.  R.  S.,  Sections  1992,  1993.)'* 

A  blind  man  knows  not  the  color  of  the  fragrant 
roses  and  yet  he  is  capable  of  distinguishing  them 
by  the  strength  of  their  odor. 

Not  by  the  descendancy  nor  by  the  color  of  the  skin 
are  good  citizens  to  be  determined,  but  by  their 
power  and  influence,  in  the  midst  of  tlieir  fellow  be- 
ings. 

No  mothers  among  the  Peculiar  people  need  con- 
sider themselves  blessed  because  they  were  not 
themselves  bond  women. 

The  woman  who  boasts  that  her  parents  were  nev- 
er slaves  has  no  more  in  her  favor  than  her  neigh- 
bor whose  parents  were  held  in  bonds. 

While  some  may  have  been  fortunate  in  never  hav- 
ing been  enslaved  their  ancestors  were  slaves. 

Every  dark  skinned  woman  who  has  risen  to  any 
prominence,  had  to  struggle  against  the  tide  of  op- 
pression. 

If  the  advantages  were  different  and  better,  there 
would  be  no  necessity  for  idle  boasting. 

The  sami  treatment  is  given  to  all,  who  prove  by 
their  lives  that  they  have  the  proper  conception  of 
true  womanhood. 

The  dark  skinned  citizins  who  boast  of  having  en- 
joyed the  rights  of  citizenship  all  their  days    are  in 
the  same  boat  with  the  po®r  fair  skinned  citizens, 
neither  really  knew  what  freedom   wis  until  the 
shackles  had  fallen  from  the  American  slaves,  thtn 


SUMMARY. 


79 


all  were  freed.  Then  all  had  an  opportunity  for  d«- 
delopmeni,  and  today  thosa  who  were  slaves,  tr 
whose  parents  were  slaves,  are  in  the  front  ranks. 

Mothers  must  have  high  moral,  social, and  intellect- 
ual aspirations. 

Shams  count  for  naught,  and  will  not  stand  th« 
test  in  the  time  of  trials 

If  mothers  among:  the  dark  skinntd  people  dis- 
charge their  rfuty  to  themselves,  to  their  childrea 
and  to  their  God,  what  will  the  out  come  be? 

Journalists  among  these  people  will  cease  to  be 
any  thing  except  American  citizens;  professional 
men  will  receive  cr  dit  for  being  masters  of  their 
profession;  business  men  will  get  the  undivided  sup- 
port of  their  fellow  bei'^gs;  in  all  dealings  of  man  with 
man  th«^  color  of  skin  the  will  not  be  considered. 

The  best  illustration  of  what  the  people  of  the  Unit- 
ed S  a  es  will  be,  is  f  jund  in  a  pallatable  combina- 
tion, made  by  the  good  house  keeper. 

This  good  woman  will  take  of  fruit,  many  kinds; 
of  vegetables,  an  assortment;  of  spices,  a  variety. 
Mixed  w'th  the  articles  named  will  be  acids  and 
sweets.  When  all  are  well  cooked  together  the 
whole  is  very  pleasant  to  the  taste.  The  many  col- 
ors, and  taster  have  been  so  blended  as  to  become 
one. 

All  the  people  who  make  this  great  natien  will 
be  bo  .nd  by  one  common  tie  and  the  law  which  pro- 
tects the  great  man  will  protect  his  humble  neighbor; 
the  children  of  the  poor  man  will  lift  their  voices  in 
the  moving  throng  and  sing:- 

My  country  'tis  of  the     Sweet  land  of  liberty, 
Of  thee  I  sing." 


CALL  NUMBER 

Vol. 

Date  (for  periodical) 

Copy  No. 

